The May Tea Time

Tea Time is for the occasion of the bicentenary of the publication of Mansfield Park on May 9, 1814 by Thomas Egerton.  The novel appeared after Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice and was written by Jane Austen at Chawton between 1811 and 1813 when she was in her late thirties.

Title page, edition 1908

Mansfield Park is the most controversial of Austen's major novels. It is a study of threee families with the isolated figure of the heroine, Fanny Price at its centre.

The illustrations showed are from the Mansfield Park edition illustrated by Charles Edmund Brock a famous book illustrator who signed his work C.E. Brock. He was born on 5 February 1870 in Holloway, London.

While Fanny cut the roses ~ Volume I, Chapter VII 

He illustrated books for authors such as Jonathan Swift, William Thackeray, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and George Eliot.  

"Oh, this is beautiful indeed!" ~ Volume II, Chapter IX 

He and his brother, who was a book illustrator too (he signed his work H.M. Brock) owned a large collection of Regency items (era costume, prints, fashion plates, clothes).  He died on 28 February 1938 in Cambridge. 

The complete Brock work are on line thanks to Molland's web site, a community and resource site for Jane Austen fans!

"No, no!" she cried, hiding her face ~ Volume II, Chapter XIII 

Last year, the Royal Mail joined the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice with the release of a series of stamps featuring all six of Jane Austen's novels. 

I've bought them in a set with beautiful postcards! Of course I show Mansfield Park theme!

"Good, gentle Fanny!" ~ Volume III, Chapter V (36)

My sweet figurine seems to come out from a Jane's novel! :)

Thank you for your visit! :)

Enjoy Mansfield Park reading!!:):)