Antiquarian Books – Page 2 – Jane Austen in Vermont

The 1816 first edition of Emma that Jane Austen signed and gave to her friend Anne Sharp [thought to be the inspiration for the character of Mrs. Weston] will be available for sale at this weekend’s International Antiquarian Book Fair in Hong Kong [January 17-19, 2009]. It will cost you a mere HK$3.95 million. See the full article about other titles for sale at The Standard.com.hk and the link above for the full downloadable catalogue of fair offerings.

By my calculations (this can vary depending on which currency converter you use):

this book sold for £180,000 at a Bonhams auction in June = US $262,692.
it is for sale at the book fair for HK $ 3,950,000.
which equals £348,744. GBP or US $508,958.
which is a profit of £168,744 GBP or US $246,265.
…if it sells..
and whatever would Jane (or Anne!) think!

Further reading:

My previous post “Emma on the Block” about this Emma for sale at auction last June for £180,000
Laurel Ann at Austenprose on Anne Sharp and this edition of Emma
the Bonhams catalogue entry including a copy of the inscription
more on this edition at Auction Publicity.com

The Novels and The Letters of Jane Austen, Published in 1923, based on the collation of the early editions by R.W. Chapman. The large paper edition limited to 1000 copies, sold in October on Abebooks for $4,862.

This similar edition pictured is currently for sale on Abebooks by Peter Harrington Antiquarian Bookseller, London for $10,382.22.

Book Description: Oxford, The Clarendon Press, 1923-32, 1923. The text based on the collation of the early editions by R.W. Chapman. With notes indexes and illustrations from contemporary sources. Large Paper Edition. Limited to 1,000 sets of which 950 are for sale. 7 volumes, 8vo. Finely bound by The Chelsea Bindery in full dark green morocco, titles and decoration to spines gilt, raised bands, single rule to boards gilt, twin rule to turn-ins gilt, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. With colour and black and white illustrations. A fine set.

There are other various editions for sale as well, any number to add to your holiday wish-list! Go to Abebooks.com for a selection…