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Record price for inscribed Austen | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
An inscribed first edition of Jane Austen's novel Emma has fetched a record £180,000 at a London auction. | |
The three-volume set inscribed on behalf of Austen to Anne Sharp, her friend and governess to her niece, was sold at Bonhams to a telephone bidder. | |
Of 12 presentation copies sent by Austen's publisher, it was the only one given to a friend of the author. | Of 12 presentation copies sent by Austen's publisher, it was the only one given to a friend of the author. |
The book, first published in 1816, tells the story of Emma Woodhouse and her matchmaking exploits. | |
The price was a new world record auction price for a printed book by Austen. | |
The British vendor, who wants to remain anonymous, is descended from a family that married into the family of Richard Withers, who was left property belonging to Ms Sharp when she died. | The British vendor, who wants to remain anonymous, is descended from a family that married into the family of Richard Withers, who was left property belonging to Ms Sharp when she died. |
They said: "The family are delighted with the price fetched today. The novel had been sitting in my family library for at least three generations." | |
'Slightly spoiled' | 'Slightly spoiled' |
Austen gave nine presentation copies of Emma to family, one to the library of the Prince Regent and one to a countess. | Austen gave nine presentation copies of Emma to family, one to the library of the Prince Regent and one to a countess. |
Ms Sharp's was the only one given to a personal friend - a demonstration of the bond between the two women. | Ms Sharp's was the only one given to a personal friend - a demonstration of the bond between the two women. |
They became friends while Ms Sharp was working as governess to the author's brother Edward, and remained close for many years. | They became friends while Ms Sharp was working as governess to the author's brother Edward, and remained close for many years. |
For the novel, Austen created a governess character called Miss Taylor. | For the novel, Austen created a governess character called Miss Taylor. |
Set in Regency England, the novel's heroine, a young woman aged 21, is described in the opening paragraph as "handsome, clever and rich", but also "slightly spoiled". | Set in Regency England, the novel's heroine, a young woman aged 21, is described in the opening paragraph as "handsome, clever and rich", but also "slightly spoiled". |
In March, Bonhams sold a rare, inscribed first edition of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit for a world record-breaking £60,000. | In March, Bonhams sold a rare, inscribed first edition of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit for a world record-breaking £60,000. |
And in November last year, it sold a first edition of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights for £114,000. | And in November last year, it sold a first edition of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights for £114,000. |