LONDON.- Sothebys will include two offerings intimately connected with Britains most beloved authoress, Jane Austen, in its sale of English Literature, History and Childrens Books & Illustrations in London, on 16th December: a first edition of Emma arguably the authors finest work given by Austen to her admired fellow novelist Maria Edgeworth, and the familys Wedgwood Dinner Set, which Jane Austen helped to choose, and would herself have used on countless occasions.
Peter Selley, Specialist in Sothebys Books and Manuscripts Department, said: It is extremely rare for items with a Jane Austen association to be offered for sale and this is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a unique component of Austen family life.
Emma, of which no part of the manuscript survives, and no presentation copy inscribed by Jane Austen herself is known to exist, was published on 23rd December, 1815. The present copy (volumes I and III, est. £70,000-100,000*), is signed by Maria Edgeworth and has remained in her family ever since. It is unique in being the only known copy of Emma given by Jane Austen to a fellow writer. Maria Edgeworth is regarded as the creator (in Castle Rackrent) of the first true historical novel in English, leading the way for Sir Walter Scott who also greatly admired her work, calling her the great Maria. Jane Austens equally strong admiration for her older contemporary, who was the far more successful writer in her lifetime, is well documented. On 28th September, 1814, Austen wrote to her niece Anna Austen that: I have made up my mind to like no novels really, but Miss Edgeworths, yours & my own. Equally well documented, however, is the apparent lack of reciprocal admiration, in a letter to her half-brother Charles Sneyd Edgeworth, Maria said, of Emma: There was no story in it, except that Miss Emma found that the man whom she designed for Harriets lover was an admirer of her own--& he was affronted at being refused by Emma & Harriet wore the willowand smooth, thin, water-gruel is according to Emmas fathers opinion a very good thing & it is very difficult to make a cook understand what you mean by smooth thin water gruel!!
On 16th September, 1813, Jane Austen wrote a letter to her sister Cassandra, in which she noted a visit with her brother and a niece to Wedgwoods in London: We then went to Wedgwoods where my brother and Fanny chose a Dinner Set, I believe the pattern is a small Lozenge in purple, between Lines of narrow Gold; - and it is to have the Crest. The dinner set was owned by Jane Austens brother, Edward Austen, and as Jane was a frequent guest at her brothers house in Chawton she must have seen, used and eaten from these dishes many times. The set has been in family ownership since purchase and will be offered with an estimate of £50,000-70,000.