Evelina: or The History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World
Fanny Burney (Frances Burney)
📚 Genre
Epistolary Novel, Sentimental Fiction, Satire
🏢 Publisher
Macmillan and Co. (London)
📅 Publication Year
1903
🔢 ISBN
Not applicable (Pre-dates ISBN system; this edition published in 1903)
About This Book
An epistolary novel following the titular character Evelina, the unacknowledged daughter of an English aristocrat, as she navigates 18th-century London society and social mores. The cover features a beautiful gilt-stamped 'peacock-style' design common to the Macmillan Cranford Series, depicting a woman in 18th-century dress standing beneath a tree with falling leaves.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
477 pages
Edition
Illustrated Cranford Series Edition; First Hugh Thomson Edition
Series
Part of Macmillan's 'Cranford Series'
Target Audience
Adult/Classic Literature Readers
Collector Information
Condition
Good to Very Good. The gilt stamping is remarkably bright. There is visible rubbing and wear to the corners and spine ends, and the top-left corner shows slight discoloration or fading to the cloth.
Estimated Value
$100 - $250
Rarity
Uncommon. While the Cranford Series was popular, specific titles in well-preserved gilt-stamped cloth are increasingly difficult to find, especially with the 1903 Thomson illustrations which are highly collectible.
Historical Significance
Originally published in 1778, Evelina was a massive success that paved the way for Jane Austen. It is a landmark in the development of the novel of manners and the female perspective in English literature.
Collector Notes
Collectors prioritize the brightness of the gold leaf on the cover and spine. Avoid copies with 'lean' (cocked spines) or foxing on the internal plates. High humidity can cause the cloth to bubble or the gilt to dull; store in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.
Similar Books
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Pamela by Samuel Richardson, Belinda by Maria Edgeworth, The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith
Notable Features
Includes 75 illustrations by the renowned Victorian illustrator Hugh Thomson; gold-gilt edges; decorative cloth binding.