First edition of Jane Austen's Emma sells for record £375,000

Jane Austen Emma - Will Dax/Solent News & Photo Agency
Jane Austen Emma - Will Dax/Solent News & Photo Agency
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A Jane Austen book that sold for a record price is to go on display in a British museum after its American buyer insisted it stay in the UK.

The unique first edition of 'Emma' sold for £375,000, the highest amount for any printed work by the novelist.

The three volume book - which carries the handwritten message "From the author" inside - will be displayed at Chawton House in Hampshire.

Chawton is the former home of the novelist's brother Edward, and also houses a unique collection of early women's writing, spanning over 10,000 volumes.

Peter Harrington, the London book dealers which sold the book, helped connect the buyer to Chawton House after learning of the new owner's wish for the book to remain in England.

As was the custom at the time, the book is inscribed by the publisher rather than Austen herself, and was presented to the recipient at the author's request. The author is not known to have signed any of her books herself.

All three volumes also bear the recipient Anne Sharp's ownership signature. Ms Sharp was a close friend of the late novelist.

Jane Austen - Will Dax/Solent News & Photo Agency
Jane Austen - Will Dax/Solent News & Photo Agency

Published in 1815, 'Emma' was the last of Austen's novels to be published during her lifetime.

Pom Harrington, the owner of Peter Harrington, said: "The buyer of this unique copy of Austen's Emma, who resides in the US, expressed his wish for the work to stay in England and asked if we could recommend a suitable institute or museum which would be happy to receive the book as a deposit.

"We immediately thought of Chawton House - given its connections to both Austen and her brother Edward, as Anne Sharp served as governess to his children."

Emma Yandle, the curator of Chawton House, described the moment she found out about the offer as a "pretty special call to get", as there had been fears the volumes would leave Britain for the US.

"When we heard the book had been sold we were worried it was going to disappear to America," she said.

Adam Douglas, a senior specialist at Peter Harrington said: "This book was sent by Austen to a friend who gave her critical feedback.

"This is someone she really knew intimately and it takes us right into the world of Jane Austen."

The book is due to go on display at Chawton House early next year to coincide with their 20th anniversary celebrations.