Jane Austen and Lyme Regis (Association)
AUSTEN-LEIGH, Emma; [AUSTEN-LEIGH, Richard Arthur]. Jane Austen and Lyme Regis. London: Spottiswoode, Ballantyne, 1941.
First edition. An Austen family association. A scarce work with a presentation letter tipped in from Richard Arthur Austen-Leigh, co-author and publisher of this book, and relative of Jane Austen, to Sir Ambrose Heal, furniture designer and chairman of Heal’s, the famous British brand with over two centuries of history of furniture and homeware design. The letter is signed and dated 11 September, 1941.
This book was conceived as a companion to Emma Austen-Leigh’s previous books, Jane Austen and Steventon and Jane Austen and Bath. Following Emma Austen-Leigh’s death in 1940, the work on this book was carried out by her brother, Richard Arthur Austen-Leigh. Both authors were the grandchildren of Jane Austen’s nephew, James Edward Austen-Leigh. Richard Austen-Leigh (1872-1961) was a printer (director of Spottiswoode, Ballantyne), historian, and co-author of Jane Austen's Life and Letters (1913), written jointly with his uncle William Austen-Leigh, which was the definitive biography for its day.
vi, 58pp; frontis portrait of Jane Austen, 5 b/w plates. Sm. 8vo. Minor foxing. Letter tipped in to front. Very good.