Books

SECOND 'PEACOCK EDITION'; leather-bound; hardcover; octavo (19 x 12.5 x 3.5 cm); pp. xxvii, 476. English text, with a preface by George Saintsbury and illustrations by Hugh Thomson. Beautiful Arts & Crafts binding of full leather gilt by Truslove & Hanson (their gilt stamp to the front turn-in), all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, half-title. 160 line drawings including frontispiece, decorated title-page, part-page and full-page illustrations, decorative initials and chapter headings. There is a facsimile printed inscription: " To J. Comyns Carr, In acknowledgment of all I owe to his friendship and advice, these illustrations are gratefully inscribed. Hugh Thomson". Printed at the Chiswick Press:- Charles Whittingham and Co., Tooks Court, Chancery Lane, London. Condition: VERY GOOD. Binding tight and secure with the hinges and joints intact. Slight fading and staining to covers. Interior very well-preserved. Inscription to front endpaper dated 1900. Notes: This is a beautifully rebound copy by Truslove & Hanson of the renowned 'Peacock Edition' of Austen's classic, which is generally considered to be the finest illustrated interpretation of Jane Austen's popular novel. A very good copy in an Arts & Crafts binding, dated 1894 to the spine, although this is the 1895 second edition illustrated by Hugh Thomson, who was one of the most notable book illustrators of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His illustrations for Jane Austen's novels remain widely regarded as classics in the field. Known for his attention to detail, Hugh Thomson would often spend a great deal of time in museums researching the lifestyles and dress of the characters he was depicting, Thomson started working on his drawings for 'Pride and Prejudice' in 1893. They proved an immense success, selling over 10,000 copies in the few years after they were released. He would go on to illustrate many of Austen's other novels.

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen is a classic novel that explores themes of love, social standing, and personal growth. Published in 1813, it is set in rural England and revolves around the character Elizabeth Bennet, the second of five daughters of a country gentleman, Mr. Bennet. Elizabeth is intelligent, witty, and possesses a keen sense of moral integrity. The narrative begins with the arrival of a wealthy and eligible bachelor, Mr. Bingley, to the neighborhood, which causes a stir among the local families with marriageable daughters. Mr. Bingley brings along his friend Mr. Darcy, who is even wealthier but also more aloof and prideful. Initial impressions lead to mutual dislike between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. While Mr. Bingley quickly grows fond of Elizabeth's older sister, Jane, Mr. Darcy's pride and Elizabeth's prejudice against him set the stage for a series of misunderstandings and emotional conflicts. As the story progresses, various romantic entanglements unfold, involving Elizabeth's younger sisters, Lydia and Kitty, and other characters such as Mr. Collins, a pompous clergyman, and Mr. Wickham, a charming but unscrupulous officer. Through these interactions, Austen critiques the social mores and marriage market of her time, highlighting the limited opportunities for women to secure their future and the importance of marrying for love rather than convenience or economic security. Despite their initial misjudgments, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy gradually come to understand and respect each other. Elizabeth learns of Darcy's true character and his role in resolving a scandal involving her youngest sister, Lydia. Mr. Darcy's actions and Elizabeth's realization of her own prejudices lead to a transformation in their relationship. The novel culminates in the overcoming of pride and prejudice, mutual respect, and the eventual marriages of Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy and Jane to Mr. Bingley, underscoring Austen's belief in the importance of personal growth and moral integrity in marriage. "Pride and Prejudice" remains one of Austen's most beloved works, celebrated for its wit, its insightful commentary on the social fabric of the time, and its exploration of the complexities of human relationships and personal growth.