[Austen, Jane] | "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like."

[Austen, Jane]

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

12mo, 3 volumes (185 x 110 mm). Lacking half-titles and blanks, scattered browning and spotting, expert restoration to inner margins. Full tan calf, covers with double gilt rules, spines with raised bands in six compartments, second and third with gilt morocco lettering pieces, others decoratively gilt, all edges gilt, inner dentelles gilt, marbled endpapers; expertly rebacked, retaining original spines.

First edition of one of the finest realist novels in the English language.

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

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 novels, a large print run of 2,000 was decided upon. It was published in December 1815 (though 1816 is given on the title), and Jane Austen dedicated it to the Price Regent, George IV, who had expressed an admiration for her novels. A presentation copy of the work was sent to Carlton House.

The comedy of manners had sold 1,248 copies by the following October, and Austen expressed worry at the public regard for the novel: “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 has since been revered as Austen's literary masterwork, with Emma being a complex, intelligent and captivatingly imperfect protagonist.

Of Emma, the prolific collector A. Edward Newton (see lot 1006) 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."

REFERENCES:

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