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Jane Austen’s Original Novels Featured in New Exhibition

First-edition novels by Jane Austen, showcasing the author’s completed works, have been prominently displayed at her previous residence in Chawton, Hampshire. This initiative is part of a new permanent exhibition titled “Jane Austen and the Art of Writing,” which highlights her literary legacy and the environment that shaped her writing.

The cottage served as Austen’s home during the final years of her life, from 1809 to 1817, where she lived alongside her mother and sister, Cassandra. It was here that she wrote or revised all six of her novels: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion.

This exhibition marks the first occasion that all six first editions will be showcased together at Jane Austen’s House, now a museum. Among the displayed books are a copy of Emma once owned by her brother Frank, editions of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion from Edward, and a copy of Sense and Sensibility preserved in the publisher’s original binding.

Sophie Reynolds, who oversees collections and engagement at the museum, articulated the significance of the exhibition, stating, “These books are presented as precious artifacts—almost as reminders of Jane Austen’s existence in this very home.” She emphasized the uniqueness of having copies that Austen personally handled, highlighting the connection visitors can feel to the author’s life and work.

The novels are elegantly displayed in a twelve-sided case designed specifically for the exhibition, symbolizing Austen’s own twelve-sided writing table, a piece she often utilized during her writing sessions. This display not only celebrates the author’s literary contributions but also sets the stage for upcoming festivities in honor of her 250th birthday in December 2025.

Director Lizzie Dunford expressed her enthusiasm for the exhibition, noting how it allows guests to immerse themselves in the environment that influenced Austen’s creativity. “Visitors can engage with the very books and objects that shaped her writing,” she commented.

The exhibition also features an array of personal artifacts from Austen’s life. Notably, topaz crosses gifted from their brother Charles to Jane and Cassandra likely inspired the amber cross in Mansfield Park. Charles, akin to the character William, was a sailor who frequently returned home with treasures from his journeys, offering a glimpse into the familial connections that influenced Austen’s narratives.

Additionally, attendees will find some of Austen’s letters on display, highlighting her passion for letter-writing and its impact on her storytelling. There is also a film presentation regarding The Watsons, one of Austen’s unfinished manuscripts, which provides insight into her writing methodology.

As Reynolds stated, “This exhibition offers an in-depth exploration of Jane Austen’s creative journey, helping visitors appreciate her dedication and professionalism as a writer. It invites a renewed understanding of how her life and domestic surroundings informed her literary works.”

“Jane Austen and the Art of Writing” is currently being showcased at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, England.

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www.smithsonianmag.com