Brabourne dedicated the book to the Queen. He wrote an extensive introduction that includes biographical information and his own comments on the novels. This is a very good set in better condition than we usually see. The previous owner signed inside the first volume and pasted and taped in some ephemera, including the announcement of a new Jane Austen book from Chatto and Windus (with a picture of the manuscript first page of The History of England), a newspaper announcement of Lieut. P. Austen Knight's death in WW2 in Belgium (Jane's great-great nephew), and a few other items of interest. Vol 1 page 324 is browned due to a newspaper excerpt that has been pressed in. A few other treasures are tucked into the pages to no ill effect. In Brabourne's description of Steventon and Chawton, the previous owner wrote a note along the side of the page about her own travels there. The covers are very good. The spines have chips and tears at top and bottom. Richard Bentley & Son. London. 1884. USED. $325.00
