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Kelly Clarkson thwarted in bid to keep Jane Austen ring | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
US singer Kelly Clarkson has been thwarted in her bid to take a ring which once belonged to Jane Austen out of the UK. | |
She bought the turquoise and gold ring for £152,450 at auction last year, outbidding the Jane Austen's House Museum. | |
Culture minister Ed Vaizey put an export bar on it until 30 September. | Culture minister Ed Vaizey put an export bar on it until 30 September. |
After worldwide donations the museum has since raised enough money to buy the ring and its bid has been accepted. | |
Contributions to the Bring the Ring Home campaign, set up by the museum in Jane Austen's former home, included an anonymous donation of £100,000 in August. | Contributions to the Bring the Ring Home campaign, set up by the museum in Jane Austen's former home, included an anonymous donation of £100,000 in August. |
The museum, in Chawton, Hampshire, was given until December to raise a further £49,000. | The museum, in Chawton, Hampshire, was given until December to raise a further £49,000. |
Mary Guyatt, curator of the museum, said it had been "stunned by the generosity and light-footedness" of those who had supported the bid. | Mary Guyatt, curator of the museum, said it had been "stunned by the generosity and light-footedness" of those who had supported the bid. |
Mr Vaizey added: "It's clear from the number of people who gave generously to the campaign just how admired Jane Austen remains to this day." | Mr Vaizey added: "It's clear from the number of people who gave generously to the campaign just how admired Jane Austen remains to this day." |
'National treasure' | 'National treasure' |
The museum already displays two other pieces of jewellery owned by the writer - a turquoise bracelet and a topaz cross. | The museum already displays two other pieces of jewellery owned by the writer - a turquoise bracelet and a topaz cross. |
The ring is accompanied by papers documenting its history within the author's family. | The ring is accompanied by papers documenting its history within the author's family. |
It passed first to her sister Cassandra, who then gave it to her sister-in-law Eleanor Austen on her engagement to Jane and Cassandra's brother, the Reverend Henry Thomas Austen. | It passed first to her sister Cassandra, who then gave it to her sister-in-law Eleanor Austen on her engagement to Jane and Cassandra's brother, the Reverend Henry Thomas Austen. |
It remained in the family until Clarkson bought it at auction. | It remained in the family until Clarkson bought it at auction. |
The ring will now go on display at the museum in the New Year. | The ring will now go on display at the museum in the New Year. |
On hearing the museum had been successful in raising funds to purchase the ring, Ms Clarkson said: "The ring is a beautiful national treasure and I am happy to know that so many Jane Austen fans will get to see it at Jane Austen's House Museum." | |
The museum said it hoped to welcome Ms Clarkson there in the future. | The museum said it hoped to welcome Ms Clarkson there in the future. |
Austen, who lived most of her life in Hampshire, is one of English literature's most celebrated authors. | Austen, who lived most of her life in Hampshire, is one of English literature's most celebrated authors. |
Fans are celebrating the 200th anniversary of her novel Pride and Prejudice this year. | Fans are celebrating the 200th anniversary of her novel Pride and Prejudice this year. |
Although out of copyright and available free on e-readers, it is estimated that Pride and Prejudice sells up to 50,000 copies each year in the UK. | Although out of copyright and available free on e-readers, it is estimated that Pride and Prejudice sells up to 50,000 copies each year in the UK. |