200 years on, a first edition of Jane Austen's debut book is for sale at Christie's
Christie's is holding an intriguing sale of Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts in a few weeks' time.

One of the highlights is undoubtedly a very rare first edition of Jane Austen's first work Sense and Sensibility, published by T Egerton in 1811 in three volumes.

Naturally Austen was not famous at all at this stage, and indeed her name doesn't appear on the work - she is referred to simply as 'A Lady'.

Jane Austen Sense and Sensibility first edition
Sense and Sensibility ... by a Lady

The copy is by no means in perfect condition, suffering from browning and staining, as well as some creasing. The margins have needed some repair, and this has not been done immaculately.

Nevertheless, in contemporary blue half calf over marbled boards, the piece is a genuine collector's piece and potentially an investment. It also includes a clipped advertisement for 'G.R Clarke's Modern Circulating Library' loosely inserted in the first volume.

The book is expected to sell for £7,000-10,000 ($16,250) in the auction which takes place on June 1 in London.

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