First Illustrated British Trade Edition – With 121 Illustrations by the Author
Publication Details
Trilby – A Novel by George Du Maurier.

Published in 1895 by Osgood, McIlvaine & Co., 45 Albemarle Street, London.
Printed by R. & R. Clark, Limited, Edinburgh.
 
This is the first illustrated British trade edition, featuring 121 illustrations by the author, including a frontispiece with a protective tissue guard and an illustrated title page.
 
Originally serialised in Harper’s Monthly Magazine between January and August 1894, Trilby was later published in book form in the United States (1894) and in this definitive illustrated British edition in 1895.
 
Binding and Exterior Condition
 
Bound in dark blue cloth with a gilt illustration of a figure on the front cover and gilt lettering to the front and spine.
 
No dust jacket present.
 
The cover remains intact and robust, with wear consistent with age:
Light bumping to corners.
Small rips at the top and bottom of the spine.
A few light surface marks.
A gentle lean to the spine.
Despite these signs of age, the binding retains its strength and visual appeal.
 
Interior Condition
 
Dark pastedowns and endpapers.
Top edge gilt pages, with roughly cut edges typical of the edition.
Pages are lightly tanned but bright and clean for their age.
Very occasional small marks, not affecting text or illustrations.
No pen or pencil markings inside.
Occasional tiny edge rips, mostly from rough cutting, not obscuring text.
Cracks at the gutters between pastedowns and endpapers.
Pages 3–14 are partially loose at the top inner margin but remain attached.
Very light and partial crack between pages 320–321 and another between 336–337.
The remainder of the text block is tightly bound and secure.
 
All x. + 447 pages are present, along with five pages of publisher’s catalogue at the rear.
Dimensions: approximately 19.9 × 14.8 × 3.8 cm
Weight: approximately 865 g
 
Literary and Historical Context
 
Trilby was one of the most talked-about novels of the late Victorian era, sparking the “Trilby-mania” phenomenon. Du Maurier’s tale of art, obsession, and mesmerism set in Paris introduced the world to the sinister figure Svengali, whose name entered the English language.
This 1895 Osgood, McIlvaine edition is prized for its author-illustrated plates, which capture the tone and character of the narrative with wit and delicacy.
 
Rarity and Value
 
While Trilby was immensely popular and remains relatively common in circulation, complete and well-preserved 1895 Osgood, McIlvaine illustrated editions without significant damage remain desirable collector’s pieces.