Jane Austen first edition sells for £79,250

A FIRST edition of Jane Austen's classic novel Emma has sold at auction for £79,250.

Shortly after it was published in 1815, the author sent the book to fellow novelist Maria Edgeworth, whose family put it up for sale in London. Austen was an admirer of Edgeworth, who is regarded as one of the pioneers of the historical novel in English literature.