Sense and Sensibility. With an Introduction by Joseph Jacobs and Illustrations by Chris Hammond. London: George Allen, 1899. First Edition Thus. Publisher’s green cloth with elaborate gilt stamping on the front board and spine. Dark green coated endpapers. All edges gilt.

The first edition to feature Chris Hammond’s wonderful illustrations.

Book illustrator Christine “Chris” Hammond, built her reputation on designing art for Austen and George Eliot.

When Sense and Sensibility was first published in 1811 it quickly became a popular novel, helping establish Jane Austen’s career. Through the contrasting personalities and romantic struggles of the Dashwood sisters—Elinor and Marianne—Austen challenges rigid expectations of femininity. Neither sister succeeds in finding love and happiness by being purely rational (Elinor) or purely emotional (Marianne). Instead, they must each find a balance between sense and sensibility, breaking free from limiting stereotypes about women. Only by embracing this middle ground do they grow as individuals and achieve fulfilling relationships.