Hugh Thomson (1860-1920) renowned illustrator, in pen and ink, of classic titles; he was born in Ireland where his skills as an illustrator were recognised while still a teenager. Consequently Thomson was trained by John Vinycomb, the head designer at Marcus Ward & Co., a prominent Belfast publishing house. He subsequently moved to England, working from 1883 for Macmillan & Co., illustrating all six of Jane Austen's novels and other literary classics. By 1900 he had become one of the most popular illustrators of his time. However, during the First World War there was less demand for his style of work and he took a job with the Board of Trade until his untimely death from heart disease.

Limited edition, number 192 of 500 copies, signed by Thomson; 4to, (320 x 265 mm); 20 colour plates with engraved and captioned tissue-guards, further engraved illustrations and vignettes throughout, contemporary ink presentation to front fly-leaf toning to extremities, occasional, light spotting to endpapers and some text margins, worming holes to outer margins of final leaf and rear fly-leaf, otherwise near-fine; publisher's cream vellum, heavily gilt panelled and blocked to upper cover and spine, top edge gilt, others untrimmed, replaced tie ribbons to style, age-toned (as usual), more so to spine, slight abrasion to outer edge of upper cover and mark to rear one, otherwise very good-plus.