Two autograph letters written by Jane Austen to her sister Cassandra Austen
MS. 21838
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Description
From Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts.
Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts contains descriptions of the Bodleian Libraries’ archival collections, including post-1500 manuscripts. Some manuscripts with records in other catalogues are also described here as part of a description of a larger archive. Learn more.
Title
Two autograph letters written by Jane Austen to her sister Cassandra Austen
Shelfmark
MS. 21838
Summary
Two autograph letters written by Jane Austen to her sister Cassandra Austen, 1796 and 1813.
Date
1796-1813
Language
English
Physical extent
1 box
Custodial history
The two letters were bequeathed by Cassandra Elizabeth Austen (1773-1845) to her niece Fanny Knight, Lady Knatchbull (1793-1882) and were inherited in turn by Fanny's son, Edward Hugessen Knatchbull-Hugessen, Lord Brabourne (1829–1893). The letters were probably sold in the Puttick & Simpson sale of 26–28 Jun 1893. By 1931, the letters were in the collection of Sir Alfred Joseph Law (1860-1939), nephew of William Law of Honresfield, Lancashire (1836-1901). Sir Alfred died (unmarried) in 1939 and his estate was bequeathed to his cousin Emma Dixon and her descendants. The two letters were included in the Sotheby's sale of the Honresfield Library which was announced in May 2021.
Acquisition
These letters are owned jointly by the Bodleian Libraries and Jane Austen's House. They were given from the Blavatnik Honresfield Library by the Friends of the National Libraries, 2022.
Subject
Women
Novelists -- 19th century
19th century
Novelists
English literature -- 19th century
Literature
Authors, English -- 19th century
Humanities
English literature
