AUSTEN, Jane.

Emma: A Novel.

“I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other": First edition of Jane Austen's Emma; from the library of Lissey Ann Powys and in a fine contemporary binding

London: Printed for John Murray, 1816.

$60,000.00

In Stock Item Number: RRB-149892

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First edition of the last of Austen's works to be published during her lifetime, with Cooper-Powys family provenance and in a fine contemporary binding. Duodecimo, three volumes bound in three quarter contemporary calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and Greek key ruling to the spines, rebacked with original spines laid down, half-titles. From the library of Lissey Ann Powys (née Cooper) with her contemporary ownership inscription to the front free endpaper of Vol. I, "Lissey Ann Powys Berwick House 1817" and name to the second endpaper of Vol. II and front free endpaper of Vol. III, "L.A. Powys." Lissey Ann Powys (née Cooper, 1753–1832) married Thomas Jelf Powys (1744–1805) in 1770. She was likely related to Jane Austen’s cousin, Reverend Edward Cooper (1770–1833), either through her Cooper family line or through Edward’s marriage into the Powys family. In 1793, Edward married Caroline Isabella Powys (1775–1838), the daughter of Philip Lybbe Powys. The Powys family were friends of the Austens and are mentioned frequently in Deirdre Le Faye’s Chronology of Jane Austen and Her Family. Gilson A8; Keynes p. 14; Sadleir I, 62d. Provenance: Lissey Ann Powys; Lady Juliet Duff (née Lowther, 1881-1965) with her bookplate to each pastedown; FS|CA bookplate to each volume. In near fine condition, small ink spot to title page of Vol. III, some minor toning throughout. A very desirable example of this key work the evolution of English literature with distinguished provenance.

Austen began writing Emma on 21 January 1814 and finished in little over a year on 29 March 1815. Whereas each of her previous novels had been first published by Thomas Egerton, Emma was taken up by John Murray, a powerhouse in literary publishing whose clients included Lord Byron. The novel was published at her own expense in late December 1815 (the title being dated 1816), with profits going to Austen after payment of a 10 percent commission to the publisher. It was dedicated to the Prince Regent at the suggestion of the Prince's librarian. Emma Woodhouse, the novel's eponymous central character, was famously described by the author as "a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." Moreso than any other of Austen's heroines, she dominates and shapes the narrative, proactively determining the novel's key events. Hers is a strong and striking character, whose comfortable situation grants her the freedom to be playful, though this playfulness also leads her to a series of mistakes which give the novel its main impetus. Austen's advanced command of free indirect style, which anticipates the literary innovations of later novelists such as Flaubert and Joyce, is most apparent in this work.