Inscribed Jane Austen book could fetch £70,000 at auction

An inscribed first edition of Jane Austen's novel Emma is expected to sell for up to £70,000 at auction later.

The three-volume set was inscribed on behalf of Austen to Anne Sharp, her friend and governess to her niece.

It was one of only 12 presentation copies sent by Austen's publisher.

The book, first published in 1816, tells the story of Emma Woodhouse and her matchmaking exploits. It will be sold at Bonhams in London.

The British vendor, who wants to remain anonymous, is descended from a family that married into the family of Richard Withers, who was left property belonging to Ms Sharp when she died.

'Slightly spoiled'

Austen gave nine presentation copies of Emma to family, one to the library of the Prince Regent and one to a countess.

Ms Sharp's was the only one given to a personal friend - a demonstration of the bond between the two women.

They became friends while Ms Sharp was working as governess to the author's brother Edward, and remained close for many years.

For the novel, Austen created a governess character called Miss Taylor.

Set in Regency England, the novel's heroine, a young woman aged 21, is described in the opening paragraph as "handsome, clever and rich", but also "slightly spoiled".

Under the hammer

In March, Bonhams sold a rare, inscribed first edition of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit for a world record-breaking £60,000.

And in November last year, it sold a first edition of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights for £114,000.

Also under the hammer on Tuesday are a number of items related to the Suffragette movement.

Among them is a collection of lots bought 20 years ago through Exchange and Mart magazine for just £10. They are now expected to fetch up to £600.

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