Books

First Hammond edition. Christine "Chris" Hammond was one of the most productive illustrators of the 1890s, interpreting works by Thackeray, Gaskell, and Eliot. She was "an ideal illustrator for Jane Austen" (Cooke) and also illustrated Sense and Sensibility. Hammond drew Austen's characters with an eye to "small nuances of facial expression and gesture", foregrounding the text's drama to "a spontaneous, and sometime even a febrile effect" (Cooke). Octavo. Original green cloth, spine and front cover lettered and elaborately blocked with floral design in gilt, green coated endpapers, top edge gilt. Frontispiece, 28 full-page illustrations and chapter headpieces by Hammond. Ownership inscription on half-title. Gilt bright, spine faded, head of spine frayed, touch of wear to foot of spine and corners, short superficial split to rear joint and inner hinge, but firm, foxing to edges and occasionally to contents, endpapers toned, otherwise internally clean. A very good copy. Gilson E92. Simon Cooke, "Christiana Mary Demain 'Chris' Hammond", Victorian Web, available online.

Emma Woodhouse is a young, beautiful, witty, and privileged woman in Regency England who, from the comfort of her large estate, amuses herself with matchmaking schemes for her friends and acquaintances. With no intention to marry herself, Emma's actions often backfire, causing distress among her circle and highlighting the societal challenges and limitations of the time. Despite her flaws and missteps, Emma experiences a journey of personal growth and self-awareness.