Austen (Jane) Sense and Sensibility: A Novel...By the Author of "Pride and Prejudice", 3 vol., second edition, half-titles, vol.2 & 3 with final blank but lacking in vol.1, foxing (as usual) and with occasional soiling, two old cataloguing entries mounted on front free endpaper, vol.1 with hinges repaired, Augustine Birrell's copy with his bookplate, near contemporary red-brown cloth, paper labels on spines (chipped), uncut, rubbed and faded (mostly to spines), a few small marks to upper cover of vol.1, vol.3 with nick to upper edge of both boards, spine ends a little worn and frayed, vol.2 chipped at foot, [Gilson A2], 12mo, Printed for the Author, by C.Roworth...Published by T.Egerton, 1813.

⁂ Sense and Sensibility was Austen's first published work, originally issued in 1811 with "By a Lady" on the title-page. By July 1813 it was sold out and the second edition was published in October of that year, with some alterations and revisions, as advertised in The Star on Friday 19th October 1813 along with the second edition of Pride and Prejudice (see next lot). It was again published at the expense of the author, prompting Austen to write to her sister Cassandra on 6th November 1813, "I cannot help hoping that many will feel themselves obliged to buy it. I shall not mind imagining it a disagreeable Duty to them, so as they do it". However, it was still being advertised by Egerton in November 1815 and Austen received a royalty payment as late as March 1817. The c.1830 binding is possibly a publisher's remainder binding, suggesting that sheets were still being bound and distributed for several years, almost until it was reissued by Bentley as part of his 'Standard Novels' series in 1832.

Augustine Birrell (1850-1933), essayist and politician, Chief Secretary for Ireland from 1907 to 1916 when he resigned following the Easter Rising.