You are viewing your 1 free article this month.
Sign in to make the most of your access to expert book trade coverage.
Folio Society to publish Jane Austen's complete novels for 250th anniversary
The Folio Society will publish a limited edition collection of Jane Austen’s complete novels to mark the 250-year anniversary of the author’s birth.
The highly illustrated artisan edition, Jane Austen: The Complete Novels, will feature all six of Austen’s major novels, and will be published in September 2025 ahead of the author’s 250th birthday.
Weaving has begun on the cloth that will be used to hand-bind the books. "Crafted with a meticulous eye for detail, Jane Austen: The Complete Novels will be hand-bound in cotton and silk jacquard cloth – fabric that, among others, Jane Austen herself would have worn, and has – often wittily – observed adorning characters in a flattering or otherwise manner throughout her novels," the Folio Society said.
The London-based publisher added: "In recognition of the timeless and internationally loved author, great design and craftsmanship has been brought to the production of this fitting Austen tribute. The design for the bindings is from watercolours by artist Sarah Young, and will be woven by Stephen Walters & Sons, the oldest silk-weaving company in Britain. Each novel will be hand-bound by Smith Settle in Yorkshire with meticulous care.
"Each novel in the collection will be gloriously illustrated with a frontispiece from a woodcut by Sarah Young, in addition to five vibrant lino-cut illustrations and a further 15 vignettes dotted throughout the text."
Continues...
Read More
Typography is by Emily Benton with monograms designed by Ruth Rowland. The six novels will be presented in a single cloth-covered box, blocked with a design by Emily Benton.
Kate Grimwade, production director at The Folio Society, said: "We can’t wait to reveal the stories behind the making of this unique limited edition: it has been a spectacular and joyous process over the last few years, creating the most exquisite version of Austen’s novels."
Recently, British Library Publishing announced plans to publish a "luxurious" facsimile edition of Pride and Prejudice to mark the 250th anniversary since Austen’s birth.
Limited to just 750 copies, The Folio Society’s Jane Austen: The Complete Novels will be published on 9th September 2025, available only from the publisher’s website.
