The State Library of Victoria (SLV) has acquired a rare first edition of Jane Austen's Emma, a purchase aimed at correcting the gender imbalance in its rare books collection.
Three leather-bound volumes of the 1816 edition were bought from antiquarian booksellers Maggs Bros at Melbourne's Rare Book Fair, coinciding with the 250th birthday celebration of the English author.
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Philanthropist Helen Sykes, a founding donor of the library's Women Writers Fund, expressed excitement over the acquisition, noting its extraordinary provenance.
The fund, established in 2021, raised $100,000 to purchase the 210-year-old book. Sykes and Krystyna Campbell-Pretty are among the founding donors.
The copy once belonged to Austen's great-nephew, Edward Knatchbull-Hugessen.
The volumes remain in their original tree-calf leather binding, with the title discreetly written on the spine without the author's name.
Austen published anonymously during her lifetime.
Her identity was revealed only after her death in 1817, appearing in the preface to the posthumous edition of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
Dr Anna Welch, principal collection curator of historical books at SLV, noted that Austen's brother Henry and sister Cassandra organized the publication of those last two novels, marking the first time Austen's name appeared in print as the author.
Preservation and Access
The library's conservation team created a special box for each volume.
When not on display, the books are kept in a high-security area with controlled temperature, light, and humidity.
The volumes are small, about 15cm tall, with delicate pages that require careful handling.
