Lot 97
  • 97

Burney, Fanny.

Estimate
800 - 1,200 GBP
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Description

  • Collection of 14 volumes:
  • PAPER
Camilla: or, a Picture of Youth. For T. Payne and T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1796, 5 volumes, first edition, presentation copy, all 5 volumes inscribed on the title page from Maria Edgeworth to her step-sister Honora Edgeworth (apparently comprising her original ownership signatures adapted for presentation), some later pencil annotations, and pencil shelf-marks on upper paste-downs ("Glasthule Lodge"), list of subscribers, advertisement leaf at the end of volume 1, contemporary half calf, volume 5 with spine split and partially disbound, some worming, some foxing and staining, some other gatherings slightly loose, bindings very worn, joints split or partially split, portions of spine missing; [together with:] Cecilia. For T. Payne and son and T. Cadell, 1782, 2 volumes (of 5), first edition, ownership signatures of "A. Sneyd", Mary Sneyd and Lucy Jane Robinson on title pages, contemporary half calf, marbled boards, bindings worn, spine of volume 2 torn; the third edition, for T. Payne and Son and T. Cadell, 1783, 5 volumes, contemporary calf, red morocco labels on spine, joints cracked, edges worn; Evelina. For W. Lowndes, 1794, 2 volumes, new edition, engraved frontispieces, contemporary half calf, marbled boards, spines chipped, very worn; 12mo (14)


Provenance

[Camilla:] Maria Edgeworth, presentation inscriptions to her step-sister Honora; her younger step-mother Frances Edgeworth (née Beaufort, d.1865) and half-sister Lucy Jane Robinson (née Edgeworth, b.1805), ownership signatures
[Cecilia:] Mary Sneyd, Maria's aunt (see lot 104), and Lucy Jane Robinson, ownership signatures
all volumes thence by descent in the Butler family

 

Literature

[Camilla]:  Rothschild 550

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

A presentation copy of the author's most successul novel, inscribed by Fanny Burney's fellow novelist Maria Edgeworth who, together with Jane Austen (then an unknown twenty-year old), Anne Radcliffe, Hannah More and Hester Thrale is one of the subscribers to this first edition.

The presentation inscriptions in Camilla appear to be in Maria Edgeworth's hand, comprising her original ownership signatures then adapted for presentation to her step-sister Honora: e.g. (volume 1) "Honora Edgeworth from | Maria Edgeworth | on her birth day -- Octbr|14 1812"). Later ownership signatures (sometimes rather faded) are also present in all volumes, of: "Mrs E 1839" (probably Mrs Frances Edgeworth, née Beaufort, Richard Lovell's fourth wife) and her daughter  "Lucy Jane Robinson 1865" (née Edgeworth, b.1805, Maria's half-sister), as well an erased, probably earlier, signature in volume 1.