Emma

Emma is a novel by Jane Austen, published in 1815. The story follows the life of Emma Woodhouse, a wealthy and beautiful young woman who lives in the English countryside. Emma fancies herself as a matchmaker and sets out to find a suitable husband for her friend Harriet Smith. However, her attempts to play cupid lead to several misadventures, including a love triangle involving her own romantic interests. As the story unfolds, Emma learns important lessons about humility, love, and the consequences of meddling in the lives of others. The novel is a satire of the English upper class and is widely considered a classic of English literature.

Emma was first published in 1816 in three volumes. It was Austen’s fourth published novel, and the last to be published during her lifetime. Emma's first edition was published by John Murray. The cover consists of leather spines and a marbled paper pattern front. The title page stated that the work was ‘By the Author of “Pride & Prejudice” &c. &c.’, and it also included a dedication to the Prince Regent.

There are several collectible copies of Emma by Jane Austen in fine bindings. In 1898 Macmillan and Co. published a beautifully bound copy in Angus A. Turbayne's decorative binding, with Hugh Thomson's iconic peacock design in yellow. Another edition illustrated by Hugh Thomson appeared in London in 1902 (Macmillan and Co.). Thomson's illustrations for Austen's writings are very highly regarded.

In 1898 another illustrated edition of Emma was published (George Allen; London). The artist was Christine "Chris" Hammond (1860-1900), a prominent female illustrator best known for her book illustrations of Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, and George Eliot. Of Austen's works, Hammond illustrated just Sense and Sensibility and Emma. Original binding is in green cloth, spine and front cover lettered and decorated with elaborate floral designs in gilt, green coated endpapers, and top edge gilt.