AUSTEN, Jane.

£37,500 · Offered by Peter Harrington · No longer available

Emma: First edition of the last novel the author published in her lifetime. Writing at the height of her powers, Austen finished Emma in just 14 months. As she had fallen out with Thomas Egerton, who issued her previous three works, Austen engaged John Murray to publish the novel at her own expense. The first copies sold on 23 December 1815 (the title page is post-dated 1816).When she began writing, on 21 January 1814, Austen intended to create "a heroine whom no one but myself will much like". Her parental affection shines through in her letter presenting a copy to a friend whose daughter had just been before: "I trust you will be glad to see my Emma, as I shall be to see your Jemima" (Austen-Leigh).Walter Scott received an advance copy; in his review he praised her honesty and originality, writing that Austen "stands almost alone" among contemporary novelists. "Keeping close to common incidents, and to such characters as occupy the ordinary walks of life, she has produced sketches of such spirit and originality, that we never miss the excitation which depends upon a narrative of uncommon events, arising from the consideration of minds, manners and sentiments, greatly above our own."

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