Description

“THE AUTHOR WAS AT THE HEIGHT OF HER POWERS”: FIRST EDITION OF AUSTEN’S EMMA IN CONTEMPORARY BINDING

AUSTEN, Jane. Emma: A Novel. By the Author of “Pride and Prejudice.” London: John Murray, 1816. Three volumes. 12mo, contemporary three-quarter brown calf, marbled boards. Housed in a custom half russet morocco chemise and slipcase.         

First edition of Austen’s fourth novel, considered by many her best, one of only 2000 copies printed. A wonderful copy.

All of Austen’s novels published in her lifetime were published anonymously, but nevertheless brought her some fame: “Miss Austen’s genius received little recognition during her life. In 1815 she was nursing her brother in London, when the Prince Regent [later George IV], hearing of her visit through one of his physicians, sent his chaplain, Mr. Clarke, to wait upon her, to show her Carlton House, and to give her permission, of which she took advantage, to dedicate her next novel (Emma) to him. Mr. Clarke recommended her to describe an accomplished clergyman, who should resemble Beattie’s minstrel and the vicar of Wakefield; and, upon Miss Austen’s declaring her incompetence for such a task, suggested that a ‘romance illustrative of the august house of Cobourg would just now be very interesting.’ Miss Austen politely ridiculed this brilliant suggestion” (DNB). Emma was the only Austen novel to contain a dedication.

 Publisher’s records show that only 2000 copies of the first edition were printed; of these, 1250 were sold within a year of publication. With all half-titles; the half title to Volume I was often omitted by binders, because “the first sheet consisted only of the title-page and the dedication to the Prince regent, while the half-title was printed on the last leaf, which would otherwise have been blank. If the binder has omitted to transfer the half-title to the beginning of the volume, it will appear, at first sight, to be imperfect” (Keynes 8). Gilson A8. Keynes 8. Armorial bookplates of Scottish peer Hugh Montgomerie, Twelfth Earl of Eglinton.

Interiors fine; mild wear to extremities (front joint on Volume I starting but sound), light rubbing to boards. A near-fine copy of this scarce and important Austen classic, rare in unrestored contemporary boards.