EMMA

New York: Frederick A Stokes Company, 1890. A very scarce nineteenth century printing. 8vo, publisher’s original maroon cloth over floral paper covered boards, attractively decorated and lettered in gilt on the covers, spine lettered and tooled in gilt, t.e.g. 456 pp. A handsome copy, well preserved. VERY SCARCE NINETEENTH CENTURY PRINTING. FROM THE WORKS OF JANE AUSTEN. One of the great novels of the 19th century and all time--a cornerstone of any collection of literature. The second edition appeared the same year as the first.. This, along with Austen’s first novel, Sense and Sensibility mark the beginnings of an entirely new genre of writing and writers.
EMMA is considered by many to be Jane Austen’s most accomplished work, and it is one which has unquestionably proven itself to be a lasting favorite over time. With the passing of nearly two full centuries, the novel is as popular today as ever, perhaps even more so. Modern readers seem to have no difficulty relating to Ms. Austen’s characters and situations, most probably because Austen’s literary inventions are classic even while being current. Austen rejected the romantic and heroic tradition of such writers as Ann Radcliffe, and concentrated on everyday people and typical English home life. In doing so she produced surprisingly modern novels that came impressively close to artistic perfection. In EMMA, the last-written of her published works, Austen created the most admirable and lovable of her heroines.
“Recognition came to Miss Austen slowly. But she is now firmly established as an English classic...Miss Austen had always her panegyrists among the best intellects-such as Coleridge, Tennyson,Macaulay, Scott, Sydney Smith, Disraeli and Archbishop Whitely, the last of whom may be said to have been her discoverer. Scott’s testimony is often quoted: ‘That young lady had a talent for describing the involvements, feelings and characters of ordinary life which is to me the most wonderful I have ever met with. The big bow-wow I can do myself like any one going; but the exquisite touch which renders commonplace things and characters interesting from the truth of the description and the sentiment is denied to me.’” - EB
Austen’s popularity seems to never weaken and she is as widely loved today as ever. Nineteenth century editions of her works have become quite elusive and are always in demand.