A local historical society will be hosting a book sale this weekend to raise funds. I am finally ready to part with a substantial number of some of my most beloved books (art, art history, English literature, nature books, etc).
Waiting to be bagged and donated
The first three Jane Austen novels I purchased sat forgotten on the top shelf – all in paperback form. I had always thought that I first read Pride and Prejudice at 14, but the book’s publication date tells me that I was 13!
I reread the tale of my beloved Mr. Darcy and his Lizzie Bennet so many times that my parents gave me this Modern Library edition of Jane Austen’s six great novels at Christmas, just before I turned 14. I have cherished it and still cherish it for all the good times I spent reading at night before turning off the light. (This book did not sit forgotten.)
I will keep this edition through all my future moves and until my last breath, since I only need a Jane Austen novel to keep me happy.
Interestingly, I was 15 when I read my second JA book, Emma, which I purchased to read on vacation. At that tender age, I found the book too talky and not nearly as romantic as P&P. Mr. Knightley seemed so OLD and staid compared to the dangerously handsome Mr. D, and bossy Emma was not the sort of girl I wanted to befriend, whereas Lizzie seemed she could fit right into my group. So, it took decades before my mature self tackled Emma again.
I read Persuasion at 17, too young to appreciate the fact that Anne Elliot’s bloom had faded from sadness or to truly understand the reason why she listened to Lady Russell’s advice. As a rebellious teen of the 60’s, how could I relate to her decision? I am now somewhat longer in the tooth (ahem) and am able to appreciate this gem of a novel fully, as Jane intended.
Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra in the 60’s.
Now, let’s discuss the 60’s covers of these paperback editions. Mind you, this was an era when high-waisted empire dresses were popular (see Mia Farrow at right) but the cover artists generally ignored this fact. They preferred to see Lizzie in a dark and heavy Gothic gown, more suited to a Bronte novel than a Regency tale. Note that Emma has a decided Victorian look, as does Anne Elliot. At least the P&P cover included this fairly accurate regency scene of Mr. Darcy listening to Lizzie at the piano.
One of the reasons I like the Complete Novels is the cover art by Paul Galdone, a popular children’s author of the day. The scene reminds me just a bit of the classic covers painted by Arthur Barbosa of Georgette Heyer novels in the 40’s and 50’s.
My old Jane Austen paperback covers represent a major characteristic of cover illustrations -they reflect the concept of female beauty of the era. Hence the 60’s birdwing eyebrows, eyeshadow, eye liner, and lipstick on Lizzie, Emma, and Anne. You’ll observe similar treatments of “historic” costumes and makeup in past times in cinema and other forms of popular entertainment throughout the decades. Recall the costumes and makeup of 1940’s Pride and Prejudice or the BBC’s versions of Jane Austen novels in the 1970’s. Ouch!
Regardless of the inaccuracies of their covers, I plan to keep these three books. For sentiment’s sake.
Jane Austen's World 
love the covers and artwork of your keepers
denise
Me too. I simply could not give them away. Sigh.
If I could I would send you a picture of my 1983 Penguin Classics edition of
seven great English classics, the complete novels of Jane Austen. A bit
raggedy but much loved.
I wish I could see it Ruth. I placed many Penguin Classic in the give away book pile. So many covers are classics, but I simply can’t keep hauling these books from house to house any more.
I think we must have grown up in the same era, Vic – your older editions bear a striking resemblance to some of my old ones. Not only is the cover art a treat but so are the prices…oh, for the days of 50 cent paperbacks… I think your editions are well worth keeping – I replaced my originals back in the 70’s and wish I had kept the older copies. Great article – parting with old “friends” on the bookshelf is always a challenge.
I used to spend $10 a week on books. This amount would purchase 3-4 paperbacks and a hardback. That Jane Austen collection, edited by Bennet Cerf, sold for $3.99!
Plato, Vic!! Well, that sounds reasonable.
It pained me to discard these books, Tony, but I did not hesitate to discard the classics, which are so readily available online and in my e-readers. Sacrilege, I know, but triage is never easy. It was harder to part with my fabulous out-sized art books, many of which cost the earth. They took up so much shelf space and I seldom looked at them, preferring to do my research online. :)
I know this might sound anathema, but a local junior school would have loved those art books. I know in junior schools over here the children study various artists from the age of 5 upwards. One year group might focus on Monet and do lots of impressions of water. Another year group might take Turner or Constable. They always find out the biographical details of the artists and often visit art galleries to look at paintings. Your books would have been , now here is the perhaps upsetting bit for you, Vic, cannibalised for various artists work and displayed in the classroom alongside the childrens work.
Yes, a friend suggested that I donate my art books to an elementary school. Considering how much they cost, that would break my heart. :)
It is hard to give up a beloved book or any item for that matter. Just keep telling yourself it is going to a good cause.
Marilyn
Aside from the economic costs that my books represent is the emotional cost. Never mind. I am already filling the empty shelves with the piles of books on my nightstand, floor, and chairs.
The covers alone are to be treasured! Real illustrations as opposed to old portraits or photographs using models.
:)
I have a vintage Persuasion from the early 1900’s. A gift from a dear friend. I will never give it up. Red leather cover with gold edges and illustrations by J.B Hickling. Of course, you will keep your wonderful copies.
Of course!
What precious first reads of Jane Austen! Hold onto the old editions with beautiful memories!
I shall never release them.
Hello, thank you for this lovely post and all of the wonderful book covers. My copy of Pride and Prejudice is a Penguin Paperback with a detail of the portrait of Lady Colville by Henry Raeburn on the cover. Was the first Austen I read, actually for a classic novel course back in college, so it will always be a permanent part of my book collection for that reason alone.
One of the books assigned to me in College was The Fairy Queene. Sadly, I let it go this year. Too many books…except for my Jane Austen collection.
I have the very same copy of Pride and Prejudice. It has a much more used look to it, as I dragged it everywhere in an attempt to both find out what befell our hero and heroine and as an attempt to stay in the Jane Austen world for as long as possible. It is by far my favorite of her works. Just thinking about it makes me remember sitting on a blanket on the grass, a gentle breeze stirring the leaves on the tree above me, the sunlight dappling the pages . . . a perfect summer day. Thanks for helping to bring back those precious memories of my youth.
Mom and Dad gave me the Jane Austen Collection before I could totally destroy my paperback edition. I recall reading the tale under the blankets late at night so I wouldn’t be caught out! During one vacation trip, Dad admonished me – “Take your nose out of that book and look around!” My inner world was more spectacular!
Vic, I’m all for clearing out books and other things from time to time, especially in support of a good cause, but I’m glad you’re not being too hasty about these particular volumes! By winter I plan to have time in my schedule to get out my complete volume of Jane and immerse myself in it for a time, with the aid of plenty of tea and biscuits!
I envy your Austen novels! They are so beautiful! ♥
Those look like books printed on acidic paper. Are they turning brown with age? At my grandparents’ house there was a copy of Sense and Sensibility probably from when my dad was in high school in the 60s. Those olds books don’t survive very well due to the acid in the paper. My beloved childhood Anne of Green Gables books printed after the mini-series aired in the mid-80s are turning brown. I may take pictures of the covers for sentiment’s sake and recycle the books when I move again.
Yes, they are cheap paperbacks that are aging badly. BUT!!! I have several hardbacks made with acid free paper – thankfully.
Love what you said about only needing an Austen novel to make you happy.
Interesting cover of Persuasion – Anne appears to be wearing quite a lot of eye make-up!