Monday 1 October 2012

The Persuasive Books of Jane Austen

by Julie Oreskovich

Jane Austen
Jane Austen
(Dec 16 1775 - July 18 1817)
It can be safely said that Jane Austen is one of the best-loved English authors of all time. Born December 16, 1775, Austen made a mark on the literary world with her romantic fiction set among the landed gentry in England. Although she is one of the most popular and well known authors, there is little known about her private life.
Austen was one of eight children born to parents Reverend James Austen and Cassandra Leigh Austen - both members of substantial gentry families. Jane, like her sister Cassandra, remained unmarried. All the Austen children were literary with Jane being the most prolific. Her writing career began early when she wrote stories, poems and plays for her family's entertainment. These pieces of work, originally written between 1787 and 1793, now known as Juvenilia, were ultimately bound in three volumes.
Jane Austen is most famously known for her six major novels : Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. However, there are several other novels and stories that were either started, abandoned or published posthumously. One of Austen's earliest works - excluding her Juvenilia, was a short epistolary novel called Lady Susan. In 1796 Austen began a second novel, titled First Impressions. She completed the first draft when she was 21 and her father offered the manuscript to a publisher in London but was turned down. This novel later became Pride and Prejudice, and in 1813, publisher Thomas Egerton agreed to publish it and the novel was an immediate success. Egerton also published Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park. Austen's first published novel, Sense and Sensibilty, centers on the experiences of two dissimilar sisters who undergo comparable experiences in the loss of the men they love. With a cast of characters satirically drawn, Sense and Sensibility remains a classic example of Austen's skill.
Jane Austen died in 1817 at 41 from an ailment no-one has truly identified. After her death, Jane's sister and brother Henry, arranged to have Persuasion and Northanger Abbey published as a set in December 1817. Austen's books have been continuously in print since 1833. Adaptions of every kind, as well as sequels have been based on Austen's work. The first film version of her work starring Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson was Pride and Prejudice in 1940. Numerous other films, TV series and books, all based on the novels of Jane Austen will ensure that this great author will never be forgotten. She is buried in Winchester Cathedral and her brother James composed the epitaph which mentions "extraordinary endowments of her mind" but not her writing.


Sense and Sensibilty

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Published in 1811 by T. Egerton. First edition of the author’s first novel, in three volumes.

Published in 1811 by T. Egerton. First edition of the author’s debut novel, in three volumes.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. With 24 colored illustrations by C.E. Brock. Published in 1908 by J.M. Dent & CO.

With 24 coloured illustrations by C.E. Brock. Published in 1908 by J.M. Dent & CO.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Easton Press leather bound edition, accented in 22kt gold. Published in 1985.

Easton Press leather bound edition, accented in 22kt gold. Published in 1985.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Part of Penguin's hardback Clothbound Classics series. Designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith.

Part of Penguin's hardback Clothbound Classics series. Designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Graphic deluxe edition for the books 200th anniversary. Cover by Audrey Niffenegger.

Graphic deluxe edition for the book's 200th anniversary. Cover by Audrey Niffenegger.

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Published in 1813 by T. Egerton. First edition of the author’s first novel, in three volumes.

Published in 1813 by T. Egerton. First edition of the author’s debut novel, in three volumes.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The Peacock Edition with gilt decorated cloth, published by George Allen, 1894.

The Peacock Edition with gilt decorated cloth, published by George Allen, 1894.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The Franklin Library edition. In full red simulated leather, gilt edges. Published in 1980.

The Franklin Library edition. In full red simulated leather, gilt edges. Published in 1980.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Clothbound edition from White’s Book, 2010. Colored page tops, decorated endpapers.

Clothbound edition from White’s Books, 2010. Coloured page tops, decorated endpapers.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Comic version from Marvel Comics, rewritten by Nancy Hajeski, inked by Hugo Petrus.

Comic version from Marvel Comics, rewritten by Nancy Hajeski, inked by Hugo Petrus.

Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Published in London in 1816 by John Murray. Second edition in three volumes.

Published in London in 1816 by John Murray. Second edition in three volumes.
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Full vellum with 24 colored illustrations by C.E. Brock. Published in 1908 by J.M. Dent & CO.

Full vellum with 24 coloured illustrations by C.E. Brock. Published in 1908 by J.M. Dent & CO.
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Macmillian and CO. London, 1897. With 40 fine line engravings, illustrated by Hugh Thomson.

Macmillian and Co. London, 1897. 40 fine line engravings, illustrated by Hugh Thomson.
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Another clothbound edition from Coralie Bickford-Smith, published in 2012.

Another clothbound edition from Coralie Bickford-Smith, published in 2012.
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Published by Penguin Books, Limited (UK) in 2006, paperback edition.

Published by Penguin Books, Limited (UK) in 2006, paperback edition.

Emma

Emma by Jane Austen. First Edition, published by John Murray in 1816 in three volumes.

First edition, published by John Murray in 1816 in three volumes.
Emma by Jane Austen. Illustrated by Chris Hammond with gold gilt floral illustrations on cover and spine. 1898.

Illustrated by Chris Hammond with gold gilt floral illustrations on cover and spine. 1898.
Emma by Jane Austen. Published in 1934, colored illustrations by Maximilien Vox.

Published in 1934, coloured illustrations by Maximilien Vox.
Emma by Jane Austen. Cover art by Jillian Tamaki. Originally embroidered, covers are sculpt embossed for a tactile design.

Cover art by Jillian Tamaki. Originally embroidered - covers have a tactile design.
Emma by Jane Austen. Clothbound edition from White’s Book. Binding illustration by Amy Gibson. 2009.

Clothbound edition from White’s Books. Binding illustration by Amy Gibson. 2009.

Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Published by J.M. Dent & Co. in London, 1907. Illustrated by C.E. Brock.

Published by J.M. Dent & Co. in London, 1907. Illustrated by C.E. Brock.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. 1935 edition from Queensway Press, London. Includes dustjacket with period design.

1935 edition from Queensway Press, London.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Limited Editions Club.. Illustrated with 12 full-page paintings and 22 monochrome drawings.

Limited Editions Club. Illustrated with 12 full-page paintings and 22 monochrome drawings.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Published by Williams & Norgate Ltd. First thus edition, 1948.

Published by Williams & Norgate Ltd. First thus edition, 1948.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Penguin Books Ltd, UK, 2012. Hardback with clothbound covers.

Penguin Books Ltd, UK, 2012. Hardback with clothbound covers.

Persuasion

Persuasion by Jane Austen. London, J M Dent and Sons Ltd. 1934. First thus edition.

London, J M Dent and Sons Ltd. 1934. First thus edition.
Persuasion by Jane Austen. Easton Press edition. Leather bound, accented in 22kt gold with gilt edges.

Easton Press edition. Leather bound, accented in 22kt gold with gilt edges.
Persuasion by Jane Austen. Signet Classic, hardcover. Published in 1992.

Signet Classic, hardcover. Published in 1992.
Persuasion by Jane Austen. Dover Publications Inc., 1997. Paperback edition.

Dover Publications Inc., 1997. Paperback edition.
Persuasion by Jane Austen. Penguin Books Ltd, UK, 2012. Part of Penguin’s Clothbound Classics.

Penguin Books Ltd, UK, 2012. Part of Penguin’s Clothbound Classics.

Biographies

Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin
Jane Austen: A Life
by Claire Tomalin
Jane Austen: A Life by Carol Shields
Jane Austen: A Life
by Carol Shields
Jane Austen: A Life Revealed by Catherine Reef
Jane Austen: A Life Revealed
by Catherine Reef
Why Jane Austen? By Rachel Brownstein
Why Jane Austen?
by Rachel Brownstein
A Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen-Leigh
A Memoir of Jane Austen
by James Edward Austen-Leigh

Collections

Quirky Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
by Seth Grahame-Smith

Beloved Austen novel featuring scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem.
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
by Ben H. Winters

With all-new scenes of giant lobsters, rampaging octopi, two-headed sea serpents.
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre
by Amanda Grange

Paranormal Pride and Prejudice sequel, full of danger and deep romantic love.
Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford
Jane Bites Back
by Michael Thomas Ford

Jane is back, and this time she’s a vampire with sharp wit and sharper fangs.
The Jane Austen Guide to Happily Ever After by Elizabeth Kantor
The Jane Austen Guide to Happily Ever After
by Elizabeth Kantor

Jane Austen shows us how to find the love we really want.

More Jane Austen

Jane Austen Pocket Note Pads – Set of 4
Jane Austen Pocket Note Pads – Set of 4

Inspired by the dance cards of the Regency era.
Pocket Posh Jane Austen
Pocket Posh Jane Austen

Purse-sized collection of puzzles and quizzes.
The Jane Austen Cookbook by Maggie Black
The Jane Austen Cookbook

Sophisticated dishes which Jane would have enjoyed at balls, picnics, and supper parties.
In the Garden with Jane Austen by Kim Wilson
In the Garden with Jane Austen

This book strolls through the gardens that Austen would have known and visited.
Fashion in the Time of Jane Austen by Sarah-Jane Downing
Fashion in the Time of Jane Austen

Jane Austen's world was revolutionary in every sense including fashion.

Most Expensive Jane Austen Books Sold on AbeBooks

1. The Novels of Jane Austen - £3,330
Published in London by Richard Bentley in 1836-1837.
2. The Novels and the Letters - £3,165
The text based on collation of the early editions by R. W. Chapman. With notes, indexes and illustrations from contemporary sources.
3. Pride and Prejudice - £2,495
First one-volume edition, first illustrated edition, and only the fifth edition overall.
4. Pride and Prejudice - £2,210
A beautiful Art Nouveau floral spine decorated copy.
5. The Novels of Jane Austen - £2,085
The text based on collation of the early editions by R. W. Chapman. Finely bound by the Bayntun-Riviere bindery in half crimson morocco.
6. The Novels - £2,020
Published in London by Richard Bentley in 1856.
7. The Works of Jane Austen - £1,880
Bentley edition of 1856. All five volumes expertly re-backed to preserve the original green cloth boards, contents very clean, all plates intact.
8. Austen's Novels - £1,840
Hardcover complete six volume set, frontispiece engravings, marbled endpapers and edges, half leather, marbled sides, raised bands with gilt tooling.
9. Pride and Prejudice - £1,815
Published in London by George Allen in 1906, this is a beautifully bound example of the Hugh Thomson illustrated edition.
10. Sense and Sensibility - £1,610
First Bentley edition, third overall. Bentley’s Standard Novels was an extremely successful series of reprints published monthly between 1831 and 1854, and it included the first inexpensive, single volume versions of Austen’s novels.


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