Northanger Abbey was written in 1797-98 under a different title. The manuscript was revised around 1803 and sold to a London publisher, Crosbie
Co., who sold it back in 1816. The Signet Classic text is based on the first edition, published by John Murray, London, in 1818 - the year following Miss Austen's death. Spelling and punctuation have been largely brought into conformity with modern British usage.
[1] Vide a letter from Mr. Richardson, No. 97, Vol. II, Rambler.