Pride and Prejudice, Parts I and II Austen, Jane; Mills, A. Wallis (Illust.); Johnson, R. Brimley (Intro.) Decorative Bindings,Illustrated Books,Literature,Women

First Edition Thus; The St Martin's Illustrated Library of Standard Authors. Hardcover. Just how ardently shall a charming, turn-of-the-century, color-illustrated set of Jane Austen's most beloved work be admired and loved? We'll let Miss Elizabeth Bennett, depicted in gilt-beribboned cameo from the front covers, answer that perhaps with the aid of Mr. Darcy, from the color plates within. This 1908 first edition thus set of Pride & Prejudice comes in two parts, witih a general introduction and introductory notes by R. Brimley Johnson, title pages printed in blue and black, and completely illustrated throughout in two tissue-guarded frontispieces, 18 color plates, and color pictorial endpapers by Arthur Wallis Mills (1878 1940) was an in-demand political cartoonist for Punch and The Strand magazines as well as the fine illustrator behind the 1908 edition of The Novels of Jane Austen in Ten Volumes, from which this two-part Pride and Prejudice was issued, as well as Andrew Lang's The Red Book of Heroes a year later, in 1909. By the happily ever after, this picturesque 1908 set is sure to have its soulmate declaring right alongside Mrs. Darcy, "I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice." 7 1/2" X 5". xxj, [iii], 253pp; [ii], 250pp. Bound in meadow grass green cloth over boards, with color pictorial vignette cameo of Elizabeth Bennett to upper boards, decorated in ribboned locket design in gilt, with upper board and spine lettered in gilt. Mild wear to bindings, with gentle bumping to corners and tips of spine, with shallow fraying to heads, and mild sunning to spines. Top edges forest green. Illustrated throughout by A. Wallis Mills in two tissue-guarded frontispieces, 18 color plates, and color pictorial endpapers. Previous owner's name to flyleaf of Volume II, wrinkling to frontispiece and tissue guard, and bookseller's ticket of Warren & Son, Ltd. of Winchester to rear pastedown of Volume II. Bindings are firm and sound. Pages and edges of text block show moderate to heavy scattered foxing, else unmarked. First Edition Thus; The St Martin's Illustrated Library of Standard Authors.