[Austen, Jane] | Lady Guilford's copy of this "perfect" novel in the original boards

[Austen, Jane]

Emma: A Novel. In Three Volumes. By the Author of "Pride and Prejudice", &C. &C. London: Printed for John Murray, 1816

Three volumes, 12mo (185 x 110 mm, uncut). Half-title to each volume; occasional offsetting and staining, one or two marginal tears not affecting text, occasional light spotting primarily to vol. I, leaves O¹²-P1 lacking in vol. II, gatherings supplied in vols. II and III from a shorter copy, half-title and title of vol. II slightly dampstained along with several leaves in vol. III, M2-11 in vol. III loose. Original boards; skillfully rebacked with labels in facsimile, some rubbing to extremities. Housed in brown cloth clamshell box.

First edition in the original boards, with a contemporary ownership inscription.

"I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." — Jane Austen

Jane Austen wrote her fourth novel, and the last to be published in her lifetime, between January 1814 and March 1815. Unlike her previous novels, Austen chose to publish with John Murray. Because of the popularity of her previous works, a larger print run of 2,000 copies was decided upon. It was published in December 1815 (1816 on the title), and Jane Austen dedicated it to the Price Regent, George IV, who had expressed his admiration for her writing. A presentation copy of the novel was sent to Carlton House.

The comedy of manners had sold 1,248 copies by the following October, and Austen worried about the public reception of the work: "I am very strongly haunted by the idea that to those Readers who have preferred P&P. it will appear inferior in Wit, & to those who have preferred MP. very inferior in good Sense." The novel is now regarded as Austen's masterwork, with Emma being a complex, intelligent, and captivatingly imperfect protagonist.

Of Emma, the prolific collector A. Edward Newton commented: "Between 1749, the year of 'Tom Jones,' and 1816, when a perfect novel. 'Emma,' appeared, no advance had been made in telling a story. I have called 'Emma' a 'perfect' novel: I think it is. Jane Austen used a small palette, but her colors were faultless."

Lady Maria North, Lady Guilford (1793-1841), was the only daughter of George North, 3^rd Earl of Guildford. She married the Marquess of Bute in 1818, and he named a Scottish sailing galley after her.

REFERENCES:

Garside and Schowerling 1816:16; Gilson A8; Keynes 8; Sadleir 62d