Emma: A Novel by AUSTEN, Jane - 1816

First Edition of "Emma" Uncut, in a Contemporary Binding [AUSTEN, Jane]. Emma: A Novel. In Three Volumes. By the Author of ìPride and Prejudice,î &c. &c. London: Printed for John Murray, 1816. First edition. Three twelvemo volumes. (7 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches; 188 x 110 mm). [4], 322, [1]; [4], 351, [1, printerís imprint]; [4], 363, [1, advertisements] pp. Bound without the half-title in volume I, which is very common since this leaf was printed as part of the last signature and was therefore either overlooked (and left in place) or discarded by many binders of the period. Even copies in original boards often lack this half-title, most notably the Mount Bellow copy, described in 1933 Sotheby's sale catalogue as "in the finest possible state." Bound without rear endpaper in volume III. Contemporary and almost certainly Continental, possibly German original quarter red paper spines over marbled boards, gilt-stamped on spines in Gothic style "Emma By the Author of Pride and Prejudice." Most certainly this book was sent straight from the publisher to the binder in sheets. Pages occasionally opened rough causing marginal tears, but with no loss of text. Namely to leaves E2 and N8 of vol. I, E10-E12, G11 and O11-O12 of vol. II and D10 of vol. III. Some minor toning and staining to pages 69-72 of vol. I, and pages 4-5, 108-109, and 206-207 of vol. III. A bit of minor underlining to page 269 of vol. III. Overall, a fine, fresh and entirely uncut copy in a contemporary binding. Housed in a red morocco backed clamshell. Emma was published on 29 December 1815. ì2000 copies were printed, and of these the records show that 1248 were sold by October 1816î (Gilson). The first American edition appeared in Philadelphia in 1816 and the first French translation in Paris in the same year, with a partial reissue in Vienna in 1817. No further editions are known until Richard Bentleyís reissue in his Standard Novels series in February 1833. Gilson A8. Keynes, Austen, 8. Sadleir 62d. HBS 67001. $45,000