Jane Austen’s “Emma” on the Auction Block

Tags

Bonham's Auctions, Book Auctions, Emma, Jane Austen, Swann Galleries

There are TWO copies of Jane Austen’s Emma to appear at auction in the next several weeks:

At Swann Galleries [NY] ~ 10/01/09:

19th & 20th Century Literature – Sale 2188, Lot 5 

AUSTEN, JANE. Emma. 3 volumes. 12mo, contemporary 1/4 brown calf over marbled boards, gilt lettering, bands, and volume numbers on spines, rubbing with loss at edges and tips (which are bumped), more so on volume 3; Volume 1 with creased and loose front endpaper, B3 with 1/4-inch hole affecting text, clean tears at B5 and C2, ink stain on G10, various short clean lower marginal tears throughout, several repaired; Volume 2, marginal repair to leaves M6 and 7, O9 stained, Q4 with 2-inch tear, Q5-8 with repairs to lower margins; Volume 3, chip to lower corner of G11 (affects text), page 215 wrongly numbered as 515 (noted in Gilson), marginal repair to O1; all volumes lack half-titles and contain 19th century booksellers ticket of M. Stapley, Tunbridge Wells, scattered light foxing, soiling. London: John Murray, 1816

Estimate $5,000-7,000

first english edition. Austen had a falling out with her first publisher Egerton over publication of Mansfield Park and transferred to John Murray, who published the second edition of that title and the first edition of Emma on the same terms: each was published at the author’s expense, with profits to the author after payment of a 10% commission to the publisher. In keeping with Murray’s stated views on edition sizes, 2000 copies were printed. Emma is also the only one of Jane Austen’s novels to bear a dedication (to the Prince Regent). –Gilson A8.

 

 

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and another at Bonhams [Los Angeles]~ 10/19/09

 Fine Books and Manuscripts – Sale 17520,  Lot 100

Lot Number:	100
Author:	[AUSTEN, JANE. 1775-1817.]
Title:	Emma: a Novel.
Year Published:	1816
Place Printed:	London
Printed By:	John Murray
Description:	Emma: a Novel. London: John Murray, 1816. 3 volumes. [4], 322; [2], 351, [1]; [2], 363, [1] ad pp. 12mo (170 x 100 mm). Modern red calf gilt by Frost, a.e.g., slipcase. Lacking half-titles, occasional light spotting or soiling, a couple of gatherings foxed, paper flaw affecting four words.
Lot Note:	First edition of Austen’s fourth novel, which was dedicated to the Prince Regent on his librarian’s suggestion. See illustration.
References:	Gilson A8.
Provenance:	Mary Elphinstone (period ownership inscription on titles).
Estimated Price:	USD 8,000.00 – 10,000.00

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[all information from the auction catalogues]