Pride and Prejudice. by AUSTEN, Jane - 1894: With a Preface by George Saintsbury and illustrations by Hugh Thomson.

London: George Allen,, 1894. The stunning "peacock edition" First fully illustrated edition, known as the "peacock edition" from the exquisite gilt design on the front cover, one of the most striking examples of late-Victorian pictorial cloth. This was the first edition to feature illustrations accompanying the text, as Bentley's 1833 edition and subsequent printings had featured only a frontispiece. The trade edition was issued in two formats: with top edge gilt, others untrimmed, or with all edges trimmed and gilt, in a slightly smaller case, as here. Thomson's "light touch and feeling for period manners provide a charming and accessible gloss to the author's work" (ODNB). Octavo. Original green cloth, spine and front board elaborately gilt-blocked with peacock design, green coated endpapers, all edges gilt. Frontispiece with tissue guard and illustrations by Hugh Thomson. Gilt bright, couple of minor marks to rear cover, front inner hinge cracked but firm, occasional spot of foxing to contents. A very good copy. Gilson E78.