Special Event

Private View: Anne Sharp’s Emma

Chawton House, Chawton
1 March - 31 December 2023
6pm - 7.30pm
£35

Join us for an evening at Chawton House and a private viewing of a very special edition of Jane Austen’s Emma.

Due to popular demand, we are displaying a very special edition of Jane Austen’s Emma for an exclusive private view

Published in 1815, Emma was the last of Austen’s novels to be published during her lifetime. The author sent one of 12 special presentation copies of the novel to her friend Anne Sharp, who was governess to her brother Edward Knight’s children at Godmersham Park. The copy carries the handwritten message ‘From the author’ inside, along with Anne Sharp’s own signature. Its rarity led to it becoming the most expensive of the author’s works ever sold, reaching £375,000 in 2022. It was generously placed on long-term loan to Chawton House by its new owner, and has never before been displayed.

Drinks and canapes will be served from 6pm by the fire in the Great Hall, followed by a guided viewing in two parts led by a member of the Curatorial team.

Part 1: ‘At Godmersham with Jane’ tells the story of Austen’s relationship to Godmersham Park, displaying items from the Knight Family Collection in the Dining Room. Part 2: ‘In the Library with Jane’ will invite guests into the Library to view the Anne Sharp Emma, alongside early editions of Austen’s novels, and some of the women’s works that influenced her writing.

Tickets: £35 Ticket costs will go towards maximizing public access to this rare work whilst it is on loan, including acquiring a bespoke case to display this and other treasures of the collection.

This listing is supplied by one of our museum partners and is not moderated by Art Fund.

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How to get there

Chawton House

Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire, GU34 1SJ
01420 541010

Opening times

The House and Gardens are open 10am-4.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday, with last admission at 4pm. The Teashed is also open serving hot drinks and cakes for those walking in the parkland.

Our additional opening days are Easter Monday (10 April) and Tuesday 11 April.

From 1 May 2023, the House and Gardens will be open 10am-4.30pm, seven days a week.

 

Exclusions and safety measures

 

 

How to get there

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