Pride and Prejudice Turns 200
1950, Pantheon Books Decorated Cloth six-volume set
Two hundred years ago today, on January 28th, 1813, Pride and Prejudice was published. The author, Jane Austen, was 38 when it was published, and 41 when she died, but had written the bulk of it in her early twenties. It was her second published work (first was Sense and Sensibility).
Two centuries later, Pride and Prejudice is arguably the most adored, referenced, parodied, remade and well-known novel in the English language. Any conversation about love and romance in books is incomplete without mention of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy (Mr. Darcy). I like to imagine Jane Austen’s reaction if she could somehow see the reach of her book and her characters.
It would be virtually impossible to try to list all of the editions published of Pride & Prejudice. Hardbacks, paperbacks, special editions, custom bindings, limited editions, deluxe editions, box sets, movie tie-ins and much more – this book has been given every treatment one can imagine. Here are just a few of them to enjoy.
1894, 1st Peacock edition in a stunning Sangorski and Sutcliffe full dark green leather binding
1923, Oxford at the Clarendon Press edition in a Cosway-style binding with inlaid miniature portrait of Jane Austen
1907, Original pen-and-ink water colour illustration, signed by artist C.E. Brock
1900, Gresham Publications, Art Nouveau binding by Talwin Morris
1883, Routledge, with woodcut illustrations to headpieces, initials and tail pieces by chapter.
1940, Signed, Limited edition by Merrymount Press of Boston. One of 1500 copies.
1944, Collins, UK New Film Edition starring Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy
1946, The World Publishing Company Rainbow Classics edition
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