[AUSTEN, Jane (1775-1817)]. Emma: A Novel. London: John Murray, 1816.

First edition of the last of Austen’s works to be published during her lifetime, with Cooper-Powys family provenance. Austen began writing Emma on 21 January 1814 and finished in little over a year on 29 March 1815. Whereas each of her previous novels had been first published by Thomas Egerton, Emma was taken up by John Murray, a powerhouse in literary publishing whose clients included Lord Byron. The novel was published at her own expense in late December 1815 (the title being dated 1816), with profits going to Austen after payment of a 10 percent commission to the publisher. It was dedicated to the Prince Regent at the suggestion of the Prince's librarian.

Emma Woodhouse, the novel’s eponymous central character, was famously described by the author as "a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." Moreso than any other of Austen’s heroines, she dominates and shapes the narrative, proactively determining the novel’s key events. Hers is a strong and striking character, whose comfortable situation grants her the freedom to be playful, though this playfulness also leads her to a series of mistakes which give the novel its main impetus. Austen’s advanced command of free indirect style, which anticipates the literary innovations of later novelists such as Flaubert and Joyce, is most apparent in this work.

This copy bears ownership inscriptions from Lissey Ann Powys (1753-1832), née Cooper, who married Thomas Jelf Powys (1744-1805) in 1770. Jane Austen's cousin, Reverend Edward Cooper (1770-1833), also married into the Powys family—he married Caroline Isabella Powys (1775-1838) in 1793. Caroline was the daughter of Philip Lybbe Powys. The Lybbe Powys family was friends with the Austens and come up repeatedly in Deirdre Le Faye's Chronology of Jane Austen and her family. Gilson A8; Keynes p. 14; Sadleir I, 62d.

Three volumes, 12mo (176 x 100mm). Half-titles. (Some minor spotting/toning, last gathering of vol. 1 slightly sprung, small ink spot to title page of vol. 3 obscuring only vol. number) Contemporary half calf over marbled boards (rebacked). Provenance: Lissey Ann Powys, 1753-1832 (ownership inscriptions, dated 1817, Berwick House) – Lady Juliet Duff, nee Lowther, 1881-1965 (bookplates) - "FS|CA" (bookplates).

The binding description has been updated.