P&P fine editions
Posted by Laura Wallace on November 16, 1997 at 13:24:55:
In response to Looking for P&P, written by Caroline on November 16, 1997 at 10:13:42
Listen, My husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas. What I really want is a copy of P&P. Not a cheap paperback one, that will fall to bits in two readings, but a properly bound, maybe leather covered, one that falls open at a certain page and stays there,will survive if I fall asleep over it in bed,and , ideally,has some commentary by some learned person at the back. Does such a thing exist, any more?
I put it off for over a year but I finally purchased the complete set of JA from the Easton Press this summer. Red leather with gilt stamping, gilt around all the page edges, wide satin ribbon marker, fabric endsheets, Brock illustrations. Luscious! I think they were about $45 each (which is why I put it off for so long!). EP doesn't have a website and it's mail-order only, but you might check some used book sites and see if you can find one. Their phone number is 800-367-4534.
Before that I had purchased the Modern library edition. It is cloth bound and has good paper, no illustrations. I think it's actually easier to read than the EP edition because it uses a modern font. It was definitely a pleasure to hold. You can get one new for $12-15 I think, but I'll sell you mine (which is pristine!) for $10 if you want a deal. It is the "companion" book to the A&E P&P and has a picture of Mr. Firth on the dust jacket.
Perhaps your best option is Everyman's Library. (I have Persuasion.) It is also cloth-bound and has a thin ribbon marker and good paper. In appearance it's very similar to the Modern Library book. Neither has any substantial commentary (both have an introduction), but the Everyman's edition includes some notes and a JA chronology. My copy of Persuasion was $15.
I also have a hard-bound copy of Sense & Sensibility published by Barnes & Noble. I don't know if it's currently in print.
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