Pride And Prejudice

100 Greatest Books Ever Written

Hardcover

Third Person

Fiction

367

61

2018-06-26 16:08:29

”It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” -- Jane Austen

When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited; he is indifferent to her good looks and lively mind.

When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever.

In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life.

Based on the images you provided, here is an overview of the book:
Overview
The book is a copy of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It is part of ”Burt’s Library of the World’s Best Books,” published by Hooper, Clarke & Co. of Chicago. The cover features a marbled design with a plain brown spine. The title page states ”University Edition.”
Historical Importance
This book is a later reprint, not a first edition. While it’s a copy of a historically significant work of literature, this specific edition’s historical importance is not in its status as an early printing. Its importance lies more in its representation of the mass production and distribution of classic literature in the late 19th or early 20th century, making works like Pride and Prejudice accessible to a wider audience through affordable editions like those in ”Burt’s Library.”
Is it a First Edition?
No, this is not a first edition. The original first edition of Pride and Prejudice was published in 1813 in London. This copy was published by Hooper, Clarke & Co., a Chicago-based publisher that often produced reprints.
Value
The value of this book is not high. While it is a very popular title, it is a later reprint. The condition appears to be fair to poor, with a worn and damaged cover. Typically, these types of mass-produced reprints have a low monetary value unless they are in exceptional condition or have some unique provenance. Based on the images, a book like this would likely be valued in the range of $10 to $30, though a more precise valuation would require a physical inspection by an expert. Its primary value is as a reading copy or as a part of a collection of classic literature, rather than as a rare collectible.

Based on the images provided, here is an overview of the book:
Overview of the Book
This is a copy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, published by Hooper, Clarke & Co. of Chicago. The images show that it is part of a series called ”Burt’s Library of the World’s Best Books,” which was a series of affordable reprints of classic literature aimed at a general audience. The publisher, Hooper, Clarke & Co., was a Chicago-based firm that specialized in inexpensive, mass-produced editions of books.
The book has a hardcover with a marbled pattern on the front and back, and a plain brown spine. The title page states ”University Edition,” which likely indicates a specific sub-series or format, but does not necessarily imply it was used as a textbook.
Historical Importance
While a fascinating object for its time, this specific book is not considered historically significant in the way a true first edition would be. It’s a product of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when publishing companies like A.L. Burt and Hooper, Clarke & Co. made classic literature widely accessible to the American public through low-cost, uniform editions. Its historical importance lies more in what it represents: the mass production and popularization of classic works, rather than a rare or groundbreaking publication.
Is It a First Edition?
No, this is not a first edition of Pride and Prejudice.
* A true first edition of Pride and Prejudice was published in three volumes in 1813 by Thomas Egerton in London.
* The term ”first edition” refers to the very first publication of a work in its original form. Subsequent publishers who print the work later are creating new editions or reprints, even if it’s the first time they have published it.
* This book is a reprint published much later than the original. The Hooper, Clarke & Co. publishing company was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, so this copy would have been published many decades after the original. The A.L. Burt Company, which created the series, was founded in 1883.
Value
Given that this is a common reprint from a series that was mass-produced for affordability, its monetary value is generally low. The primary value of this book is as a collectible for someone who appreciates antique books or the history of popular publishing. Its value is largely decorative and sentimental rather than monetary.
Based on similar books from this era and publishing house, its value is likely in the range of $10 to $40, depending on the book’s condition and the specific market. A book in good condition with a tight binding might sell for more than one that is heavily worn, like the one shown in the images.

Chicago Hooper, Clarke & Co

9780007449316

United States

Usa

2011-01-01

1

Yes

~$7.89

2025-08-18

2018-06-26 16:08:29