The points of issue
Three volumes, Austen's debut, published anonymously 'By a Lady' in 1811; advertisements first appeared 30 October 1811. The title-page imprint reads printed for the author by C. Roworth, Bell-yard, Temple-bar, and published by T. Egerton, Whitehall. Title pages dated 1811. Half-titles are a point of completeness and vary among surviving copies; the most complete sets retain half-titles to all three volumes. The edition was small, about 1000 copies. A corrected second edition followed in 1813.
Is this the true first?
The UK Egerton 1811 three-decker is the true first, Austen's first published novel and her scarcest first edition. The 1811 title-page imprint and the presence of half-titles are key points.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Bentley and later one-volume editions are reprints; the corrected 1813 second edition is not the first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Sense and Sensibility a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Three volumes, Austen's debut, published anonymously 'By a Lady' in 1811; advertisements first appeared 30 October 1811. The title-page imprint reads printed for the author by C. Roworth, Bell-yard, Temple-bar, and published by T. Egerton, Whitehall. Title pages dated 1811. Half-titles are a point of completeness and vary among surviving copies; the most complete sets retain half-titles to all three volumes. The edition was small, about 1000 copies. A corrected second edition followed in 1813.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The UK Egerton 1811 three-decker is the true first, Austen's first published novel and her scarcest first edition. The 1811 title-page imprint and the presence of half-titles are key points.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Bentley and later one-volume editions are reprints; the corrected 1813 second edition is not the first.
I have a first edition of Sense and Sensibility — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.