MANSFIELD PARK
First US edition of Austen's third published novel — in a stunning fine art binding by the acclaimed Argentinian design bookbinder Sol Rébora.
Near fine.
Price: $25,000.00
MANSFIELD PARK
"I was quiet but I was not blind."
Morally upright Fanny gets pulled into a neighbor's scheming via an adaptation of Elizabeth Inchbald's well-known play, LOVERS' VOWS. Among Austen's works, MANSFIELD PARK especially demonstrates how careful contrasts of characters and plot twists can bring out subtle ironies. First published in 1814 in three volumes, this is the first edition to appear in the United States, published in two volumes by Carey & Lea in an edition of only 1250 copies.
Sol Rébora is an internationally recognized design bookbinder based in Buenos Aires. Her works embody a minimalistic elegance that is nevertheless subtly complex, as in the carefully structured multiple layers used here. They are not only visually stunning, but supremely tactile. From Rèbora's artist statement: "The cloth texture is achieved using silk with a patterned design that evokes the aesthetic of the time period in which the original edition was produced, creating a visual connection with antique paper. This design also appeals to the collective memory of how custom bindings from the early 19th century might have appeared, complete with deep-relief hot-stamping impressions." A magnificent, unique copy of an Austen first.
Read more: Gilson, A Bibliography of Jane Austen, B4; Kaser, The Cost Book of Carey & Lea, #333.
The Object
Philadelphia: Carey & Lea, 1832. Two 12mo volumes, 6.75'' x 4.25'' each. Modern full pink design binding by Sol Rébora in Can Can structure with one layer of cotton cloth and two layers of Japanese paper, each element hand-painted with acrylics and textured with a patterned design impressed with deep-relief hot-stamping from silk; spines and boards stamped in dark grey. Cotton and abaca handmade paper peach endpapers. Publisher's catalogue bound at front of volume I. 4, 200; 204 pages. Vol. II with pencil inscription of the Portsmouth Athenaeum to fly leaf. Some browning, a few spots of staining to text block, some early pencil notes. Tight.
The Fine Print
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