Rare first edition - one of 2000 copies. A rare first edition, with half-titles, printed at the author's own expense in an edition of 2,000 copies. Although reviews were mixed, one critic is quoted as saying: 'There is no story whatever, and the heroine is not better than other people; but the characters are all so true to life, and the style so piquant, that it does not require the adventitious aids of mystery and adventure'.

Only a few sets retain all three half-titles, even in original boards, since the printer placed the one in volume I towards the rear, the intention being a binder would move it to the fore, as has happened here.

David Gilson's pencil note at the rear of volume I states that this was bought from Francis Edwards, Hay-on-Wye, 28 September 1995, before adding a note about the letter: 'The Harriet C. Moore whose letter is inserted at the front of this volume could be Harriot Moore, mentioned in Jane Austen's letter to Fanny Knight, 13 March 1817 (Letters, ed. Deirdre Le Faye, 1995, p. 333), who was Fanny Knight's cousin, being the daughter of Harriot [Harriet] Mary Moore, née Bridges, 1781-1840, who was sister to Fanny's mother Elizabeth'. However, our research suggests that the eldest daughter of Harriet Mary Moore and her husband Rev. George Moore (1770-1845) was called Harriet Maria Moore (1813-unknown) and the shaky signature suggests it was written at a great age by someone more likely to have been a direct contemporary of Harriet Mary Moore.

First edition, limited to 2000 copies; 3 vols, 12mo (166 x 100 mm); half-titles present including half-title to volume I (P6, final leaf) inserted at front, some spotting and browning, very occasionally more pronounced, small, closed vertical tears to lower margins of pp 85-87 of vol. II, the first touching four lines of text, without loss, 1 page with blank integral leaf; gift inscription to title of vol. I, letter tipped in at front of vol. I; mid-19th-century reddish brown half roan gilt over cloth, rubbed, upper joints slightly cracked and upper joint to volume I weak but holding, in all a very good set.

Gilson A8; Keynes Austen 8.