JANE AUSTEN, "EMMA" & WEDGWOOD

On this beautiful fall morning here in the midwest we find the Internet abuzz with the news of the December 16th (appropriately the anniversary of Austen's birth) auction at Sotheby's London of a first edition of Jane Austen's novel "Emma" given to her fellow author Maria Edgeworth and a wonderful set of Wedgwood bone china dinnerware from the Austen family. It is apparently rare that Austen memorabilia and artifacts come to market, and isn't it nice that there is a Wedgwood connection! Jane wrote to her sister Cassandra of the visit to "Wedgwood's" to pick out the china. Given how poorly the china market is doing it will be interesting to see how much the sale of the china realizes; surely it will be bought for its Austen connection, not because some young wealthy entrepreneur wants to buy china! I'm sure he wouldn't get it at a bargain at Sotheby's but don't forget, all bone china at Alexis Antiques right now is 25% off, so there are bargains to be had! Click this post title to go to one article about the sale with more details.

Here is a link to an interesting blog about Jane Austen and if you go to the links to the blogger's other articles, especially the link nearest the bottom of the page, you'll learn more about the Wedgwood china and this blogger's commentary on Wedgwood & Sons. This blogger has great insight into the subject of Jane Austen, and the Wedgwood connection adds interest for those of us who treasure every pearl of Wedgwoodiana we can spot!