Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, The Saturn Press, London, 1946 - illustrated order in colour by Edgard Cirlin.

My story...
I am a quirky, 1946, first British edition of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen published by The Saturn Press, London and illustrated by Edward Cirlin, in what the editor of this book May Becker calls, ‘delicate, polished, haughty and high mannered' work.
I was originally published by The World Publishing Company in Cleveland and New York in 1946.
Please do not compare me with my later 1970s reprint, which has a bright yellow, patterned cover. I am an original 1946 first edition.

Practicalities:
-I measure H 20.5cm by W 14.5cm.
-I weigh 564g.

Condition Summary:
I am in a well-loved and used state - a bit worn around the outside edges - but I am still robust and function as a readable book. Apart from a little foxing my reading pages are highly respectable.
I come complete with an acceptable, if a bit grubbily dust jacket, which is now protected in an archival cover which can be removed without damage.
For specific condition points see below.

So why buy me?
Underneath my aged, pictorial dust jacket you will find I have very British, bold pillar box red cloth hardcovers in quite a splendid vibrant state! My spine looks most attractive with its gilt and black decorated titles sporting the Rainbow Classic's logo.
Contrasting completely with this aesthetic are the acid yellow pages top edges. These however make sense when you discover the acid like ink colours of the coloured illustrations to come!
Open me up - wow - to illustrated peach and dusty blue endpapers in wonderfully clean condition at both ends. You will hardly notice the small characters on the endpapers as they blend so well into the pattern, but if you look closely they give a taste of the slightly grotesque and sometimes hilarious images that are to come!
A few pages later you will see the first of four coloured plates. Notice how the female figure looks slightly burlesque and racy in her attire. The angle of the painting is also intriguing and you can just imagine Darcy raising an eyebrow as if to say, ‘Well…hello!' There is something quite spooky about Elizabeth's eyes!
Next you will find a wonderful introduction written by May Lamberton Becker. I love the way my chapter headings are boxed and framed! What is also pleasant is my font size; so much more comfortable as the miniscule fonts that appear in so many classic pre-1940s editions.
As you read you will then be delighted by - I counted 17 - Cirlin's comic and delicate caricatures. I only wish I had more photograph allowance to show you more: the rounded bellies, evil gargoyle like faces. However I do love the final illustration of the book as Lizzy walks with poise down the stairs towards her father after her journey of self-discovery! Wonderful! If you would like to see more pictures I can send them or google the illustrator's name and the book and you will able to peruse and revel in more of them!
The pages in my book are in excellent condition apart from some foxing and the binding is still strong.

As I am 75 years old I will have some signs of age and use:

Dust jacket: see photo graph - very worn, aged and chipped - acceptable only - but it's in one piece!
Hardcovers: spine ends and corners are mildly rolled and mildly worn. The cover has just a few minor, small marks but generally is clean and vibrant still. The spine decoration is in a lovely condition.
Pages edges: top dyed page edge is slightly faded towards the spine end with some foxing marks present; the long edge is gently tanned and heavily foxed; the bottom edge much less so.
Endpapers: gorgeous - very clean and bright! The later title pages and order end pages are more heavily foxed.
Reading pages: very good - no significant signs of use at all; they are just mildly foxed occasionally.
Binding: very strong.

A note from my seller:
I love it when I get excited about writing about a new book I have discovered! This one is a joy. There is something about certain novels published after the Second World War that really excites me - did publishers and illustrators take more risks, draw more for the moment now free from past restraints? This is certainly a brave, bold, beautiful and funny edition... it would make a wonderful addition to an Austen lover's collection.

I will be sent Royal Mail signed for delivery in the UK and Royal Mail International, tracked worldwide. Please message me for worldwide postage costs if not displayed.

I will be packed in recycled, biodegrable packaging where possible.