First edition of Emma expected to make £100,000 at auction

A FIRST edition of Jane Austen's classic novel Emma is expected to sell for as much as £100,000 when it is auctioned later this year.

The writer sent the book, shortly after it was published in 1815, to fellow novelist Maria Edgeworth whose family have put it up for sale.

The 16 December auction at Sotheby's also includes a Wedgwood dinner set that belonged to Austen's brother Edward which is expected to sell for around 70,000.

Peter Selley, from the auction house's Books and Manuscripts Department, said: "It is extremely rare for items with a Jane Austen association to be offered for sale and this is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a unique component of Austen family life."

Austen was a great admirer of Edgeworth, regarded as one of the pioneers of the historical novel in English literature, but letters written at the time make it clear Edgeware was not a fan of the book.

In a letter to her half-brother Charles Sneyd Edgeworth, she wrote: "There was no story in it, except that Miss Emma found that the man whom she designed for Harriet's lover was an admirer of her own & he was affronted at being refused by Emma & Harriet!!"

The story of the spoiled young woman who fancies herself as a matchmaker has been adapted for film and television several times with actresses including Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Beckinsale in the title role.