Mansfield Park 1859 edition for sale

This lovely book is on sale for $ 749.99 by Ron Likes History.

Based on information from e-Bay, this Mansfield Park exemplar was published in New York by Derby & Jackson in 1859, and it is the first edition of the book in the United States.

I have no way to tell whether or not it is the very first American edition. Perhaps one of Jane Austen Today's genteel readers will know of or even have a copy of this issue.

I would love to know more about the book.

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

Unique Gifts: Gerard Butler Movie Props

Oh, I know Gerard Butler has no connection to Jane Austen film adaptations other than that he should play one of her heroes. Colonel Brandon would suit his rugged Scottish looks, as would Mr. Knightley.

Gerard Butler in The Ugly Truth

On this site, Premiere Props, you can purchase props and clothes used in films, like Gerry Butler's shirt and pants in The Ugly Truth. 

For a little less than $900, you can purchase this tiny token of Hollywood magic.

Gerard Butler in P.S. I Love You

If a shirt is not personal enough, how about his boxer shorts from P.S. I Love You? American Eagle sold them for $12.50. But since Gerry wore these, they (and the shirt) sell for a bargain price of one penny short of $2,000.

Do you like our holiday gift suggestions so far? Stay tuned, for we aim to show you more unusual gift ideas designed to please the connoisseur with a sense of humor AND a fat pocketbook.

Jane Austen Throwdown: The Holiday Table

The holiday season is upon us. From now through New Year's we will all be faced with attending one fattening dinner gathering after another. Which meats familiar in Jane Austen's time would you be willing to cook, serve, or eat? You may choose as many as apply. Or leave a comment if your choice is not listed.

What meats would you serve at your regency style holiday table?
	Braised hare
	Pork Loin
	Mutton
	Venison
	Roast beef
	Guinea fowl
	Salmon
	Goose
	Wild boar
pollcode.com free polls

Holiday Gifts of Remarkable Distinction

This year Jane Austen Today will point you to gifts of remarkable distinction, or one of a kind, or those with true antique value.

1781 silver creamer

Observe this beautiful Georgian era creamer.

Height:
5 7/8" high
Period:
18th Century, Hallmarked London, 1781
Origin:
England/Ireland

Detail of Hester Bateman Creamer

Hester Bateman's signature bright-cut engraving takes center stage in this magnificent Georgian period silver creamer. With the addition of her equally-distinct beaded edging emphasizing the inherent beauty of this antique piece, it is clear to see why Bateman is often regarded as the "Queen of the Silversmiths."

Purchase price: A cool $4,450

Click here for more images.

Friday Fashion: Fabulous Find

Gentle Readers, What a fabulous find. This link to Letters and fashion plates from the time of Jane Austen from the Priaulx Library. leads to a series of letters that could have been written by a friend of Catherine Morland or Lydia Bennet.

The Priaulx Library's mission is to promote and celebrate Guernsey life, language, history, culture, and literature, and to give access to our unique rare book collection.

Fashion, November 1798

Description of the collection of letters and fashion plate on the library's site:

Some fascinating letters from a young Caroline Guille Le Marchant to her friends in Bath and London, from Edith Carey's Scrapbook, and some contemporary winter ladies costumes for Christmas, from two bound volumes of fashion-plates, entitled in French Figures. The plates are hand-coloured; some are from The Fashions of London and Paris, a monthly magazine that began publication in 1798, published by Richard Phillips.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Be it plain ...

...fancy...

...or spectacular.

Click on this post by Risky Regencies to read: Cooking a Regency Turkey.

Regency Fashion Plate

Cabrio4 sells Regency fashion plates on EBay. This seller features plates we have seen online before (usually the Ackermann fashion plates), but also rare images that rarely see the light of day. Take this 1799 image of three fashionable ladies, for example.

1799 London walking dresses, from Fashions of London and Paris

Here is the description:

A very scarce plate from Richard Phillips' 'Fashions of London and Paris' featuring London Walking Dress from June 1799.

This was a very rare publication, which ran from 1798 to around 1810 and during that time published a series of very distinctive fashion plates, many of which were drawn by Adam Buck. Others were lifted straight from 'Journals des Dames et des Modes' (the Parisan side of the plates).

Click here to see the images or to bid for the plate.

Catherine Morland Watercolour

There is nothing better than strolling through e-Bay. Without a credit card, of course, or you will go to bankrupt!

This watercolor by Durkin is part of the series "Portraits Jane Austen." Click here to see the images on Ebay.

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

The Middletons of Devonshire

When I read the news about Prince William engagement to Miss Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, one question occurred to me: would Miss Middleton be a distant relative of Sir John Middleton from Devonshire? Owner of Barton Cottage and dear cousin of Mrs. Dashwood?

William and Kate

What do you think?

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

A Mysterious Trunk Containing Articles to Fight Pride and Prejudice Zombies Appeared Out of the Blue ...

Quirk Books sent a mysterious trunk containing zombie slayer products, including Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the deluxe edition, a letter from Elizabeth Bennet, a cadaver banisher, etc. Click on the video to learn more...

...to be continued. Meanwhile, join the characters from P&P and Zombies on the internet, including facebook and twitter.

Jane Austen Entertainment Throwdown

Which casual entertainment described in Jane Austen's novels would interest you most?

Card games, with food and drink and oonvivial company.

Card Party, Pride and Prejudice 1980

A musicale, with local musicians and singers from among the group.

Emma (2009) plays piano at the Coles

Afternoon tea or dinner with friends

At the Woodhouse's for dinner

A carriage outing to a point of interest.

Box Hill, Emma

Garden party with lawn games.

Lawn bowling

An afternoon walk with friends.

Walking along the Cobb at Lyme Regis, Persuasion 1995

Which casual entertainment described in Jane Austen's novels would interest you most?
	Card games, with food and drink and convivial company.
	A musicale, with local musicians and singers from among the group.
	Afternoon tea or dinner with friends.
	A carriage outing to a point of interest.
	Garden party with lawn games.
	An afternoon walk with friends.
pollcode.com free polls

Tacky Royal Wedding Souvenirs

Ah, Wills and Kate are getting married. The tacky wedding souvenir trade is relishing the opportunity to go wild for the next year or so. Click on this Daily Mail article.

The ubiquitous china plates and cups

Gawker offers a funny look at the Royal Wedding Souvenir industry

Kate Middleton porcelain thimbles. Hah!

Wills and Kate: Here Comes the Kitsch

The Royal Wedding Souvenir trade has had a dubious tradition

Follow Friday: Regency Fashion Plates

A Thousand Pixels offers beautiful Regency fashion plates, some of which are quite rare. Click here to enter the blog. 

September 1812 Full Dress, Ladys Monthly Magazine. Image @A Thousand Pixels

Lyme Park as Pemberley

Lyme Park as Pemberley. Image @ JaneAusten's World

In Pride and Prejudice, Lyme Park represented the exterior shots of Pemberley. Interior shots were filmed at Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire. For more images and interesting articles about the house (especially the second link), click on the sites below.

• The Fictional Life of Lyme Park
• Lyme Park as Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice, 1995
• Driving the Stags: An Old Custom in Lyme Park
• National Park: Lyme Park
• Virtual Tourist: Lyme Park

My Jane Austen's Illustrated Books

I love my Jane Austen books, so to keep buying more and more books about Jane I have made those little journals. I think they are a good gift to a friend Janeite! Click to see them on Etsy.

All cameo's images are from my illustraded Jane Austen's Illustrated Books you can see them at Biblioteca Jane Austen.

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português, 

Interview with Elliot Cowan

2008 interview in MailOnline with Elliot Cowan, Mr.Darcy in Lost in Austen

Elliot Cowan
Age 31
lives Dalston, East London.
What you know him from Playing Mr Darcy on ITV’s recent Lost In Austen series, plus the films Alexander and The Golden Compass.
You have a very impressive CV, but have you ever done a job you’ve regretted?
I’ve done some bits of shockingly bad TV that have never been shown, or at least I hope they’ve never been shown… Please don’t dig them out!
How did you feel about being cast as Mr Darcy?
l was thrilled to be asked, but realised I had to put my own mark on him – Darcy’s a character that is etched on to the national psyche, thanks to Colin Firth of course!
Oh yes, the famous white shirt scene. How was filming that?
Very cold. Not a lot of people realise that in the famous TV version you never actually see Colin Firth in the water or getting out of it. But I had to do the real thing, dripping wet and looking suitably brooding.
But has it helped with the ladies?
Well, we’ll see. I’m single at the moment and I’ve given up the chase. I’m relying on that old adage, ‘If you stop looking…’
Who would be your ideal leading lady?
There are some fantastic British actresses around at the moment. I’d love to star with Hayley Atwell or Hattie Morahan.
Have you ever been star-struck?
At a party in LA, I met this middle-aged gentleman who I was talking to for ages when I asked, ‘So, what do you do?’ Turns out I was speaking to legendary music producer Quincy Jones who worked on Michael Jackson’s hits. And there was little old me rattling on – I was so embarrassed.

Silent Monday: An Ideal Husband

Elliot Cowan (Mr. Darcy in Lost in Austen) and Fiona Button in An Ideal Husband

An Ideal Husband, starring Elliot Cowan, Samantha Bond, Rachael Stirling, Alexander Hanson, Charles Kay, and Fiona Button. At the Vaudeville Theatre, London, November 4, 2010-February 19, 2011.

• The Stage Review

Jane Austen Etiquette Throwdown

In your estimation, which of Marianne's etiquette faux pas in Sense and Sensibility was most egregious?

Willoughby cuts a lock of Marianne's hair

Which of Marianne's etiquette faux pas was most egregious?
	Allowing her rudeness to show to people she dislikes.
	Allowing Willoughby to cut a lock of her hair.
	Visiting Allenham alone with Willoughby.
	Mocking Colonel Brandon, Mrs. Jennings and the Middletons behind their backs.
	Accepting the gift of a horse from Willoughby.
	Writing letters to Willoughby when she arrives in London.
	Making a spectacle of herself when she sees Willoughby at the ball.
pollcode.com free polls

Marianne accepts the gift of a horse from Willoughby

The Georgian Garden

In the center of Bath, one can visit free of charge a typical Georgian garden behind #4 King's Circus. Reconstruction of the garden began in 1985 and was completed in 1990. Although no formal plan of the garden existed, the imprint of the formal flower beds, which were surrounded by rolled gravel, were found beneath later changes that had been made.

Image courtesy Mermaid99 photostream, Flickr

• Click here for images of the garden in fall, from A Bun Can Dance.

• A Georgian Garden reborn

• The Georgian Garden, the Gravel Walk, Bath

• Click here to see a typical Georgian garden in Limerick

A Georgian Home

Columns and Balustrades features a modern interpretation of a Georgian home. Just lovely.

Entry and foyer, Georgian House, Mark Finlay, architect.

See also:

• The Georgian House in Charlotte Square
• Modern Kitchen Based on the Georgian Model

Friday Follow: Sense and Sensibility and Brock Illustrations

You do not need to understand Portugese to appreciate these beautiful Brock illustrations of Sense and Sensibility. Click on this link to find them all on Jane Austen em Portugues. Then double click on the images to view them up close!

Emma Sings Country

Gwynneth Paltrow, who played one of two Emmas in 1996 (the other was Kate Beckinsale), sang her song, Country Strong at this year's CMA show in anticipation of her new film of the same title. Read the rest of the article here.

New Biography About Jane Austen Coming in 2013

Inquiring readers, Raquel Sallaberry from Jane Austen em Português has alerted us to the wonderful news:

Harper Collins is pleased to announce it has commissioned The Real Jane Austen [Jane Austen True], a major new biography by Paula Byrne, for publication in 2013. This will be the first substantial biography of Jane Austen's century, and contain a wealth of new research by the author of the bestseller, Mad World and Perdita. The first book by Paula Byrne, a study of Jane Austen and the Theatre was described by Paul Johnson in The Spectator as "the best book on Jane Austen I've read." Paula will offer a glimpse of its innovative approach in a lecture at the Bath Literature Festival on March 5, 2011 (Saturday).

Paula Byrne is the author of Jane Austen and the Theatre, 2007, which was shortlisted for the Theatre Book Prize.

Liberty of London Evening Dress

I know, I know. This is an 1880's dress from Liberty of London, not a Regency dress. But I SWOON. What a perfect color for fall.

Evening gown, 1880s
Attributed to Liberty of London (British, founded 1875)
Yellow China silk

Read more about the dress at:Liberty of London: Evening gown (1985.155) | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Lovely Georgian Houses for Sale

Do you have a spare million to spend, or two or four? Do you fancy living in an elegant Georgian house? Here are two of the best properties available according to The Telegraph. Click on the image gallery to see all ten.

4 North Yorkshire

Georgian Townhouse in Mayfair, London

Silent Monday

Click on the image twice to read the full size. Thanks, Jim @dzhimbo (Twitter) for providing today's feature.

Jane Austen Character Throwdown

Two of Jane Austen's heroines have been on my mind lately. Known for their restraint, they must bear their burdens silently before love comes knocking at their door.

Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility: Poor Elinor. Not only did she have to endure her sister, Marianne's, histrionic outpouring of grief over her loss of Willoughby, but she had to offer her support while keeping Edward Ferrar's engagement to Lucy Steele a secret. Lucy, a creepy and manipulative woman if ever there was one, targeted Elinor as her confidante on purpose, repeatedly pouring salt in the wound as she shared secrets that Elinor was honor bound to keep to herself. Not only did Elinor bear her sorrow silently as Marianne accused her of a lack of romantic feeling, but even her ally, Colonel Brandon, caused her great pain by asking her to inform Edward in person of Colonel Brandon's gift to him of a living at the parsonage at Delaford. While Elinor's heart was breaking, she had to tell Edward that he now had the means to marry Lucy.

Anne Elliot, Persuasion: Long-suffering Anne. For seven years she has regretted her decision to break off her relationship with Captain Wentworth at the urging of Lady Russell, who meant well. For seven years, her spirits have flagged, even as she lost her bloom. Suddenly he walks into her life, rich, successful, and handsome, and begins to court the Musgrove Sisters. Anne endures the situation in silence, not realizing that the Captain, while still mad with her, is in equal agony. With no one to turn to, not her selfish sister Mary, not her arrogant father and older sister Elizabeth, not even her good friend Lady Russell, Anne must endure the presence of the handsome captain, knowing she has lost him and that he will belong to someone else soon.

Gentle readers, for which lady does your heart ache more? Elinor or Anne?

For which Jane Austen heroine does your heart ache more?
	Long suffering Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility
	Long suffering Anne Elliot, Persuasion
pollcode.com free polls

JASNA Meeting in Portland, Day 3

The final posts about the Jane Austen of America Society meeting in Portland last week are up on Austenprose and Jane Austen in Vermont. Deb and Laurel Ann have done a splendid job of updating us on the workshops, exhibitors, and events.

Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose, and Deborah Barnum, Jane Austen in Vermont

Read about the final conference day at:

• Jane Austen in Vermont Day 3 and Day 4
• Austenprose

The Elliots in Bath

The interior set of Camden Place where the Elliots rented a house in Bath. The room is actually located in Sydney Place.

Aurora of  The Secret Dreamworld of Jane Austen has been highlighting her trips to Bath this past month or so. Her most recent post centers on #95 Sydney Place, a Bed and Breakfast where the interior of 1995's Persuasion was filmed. Here before and after pictures are quite interesting. Click here to read Watching Persuasion - Bath 8.

Click here to read my post about the film's interior set for the Elliots in Bath. 

Friday Follow

This Friday we follow Andrew Lang, whose lovely letter to Jane Austen After Her Death is thought-provoking, though at first not easy to grasp. Here are two excerpts:

You are not a very popular author: your volumes are not found in gaudy covers on every bookstall; or, if found, are not perused with avidity by the Emmas and Catherines of our generation. ‘Tis not long since a blow was dealt (in the estimation of the unreasoning) at your character as an author by the publication of your familiar letters. The editor of these epistles, unfortunately, did not always take your witticisms, and he added others which were too unmistakably his own. While the injudicious were disappointed by the absence of your exquisite style and humour, the wiser sort were the more convinced of your wisdom.

The letter is filled with irony and needs a second reading, for Mr. Lang's language is old-fashioned. His thoughts take us on meandering and eventually satisfying read:

Your heroines are not passionate, we do not see their red wet cheeks, and tresses dishevelled in the manner of our frank young Maenads. What says your best successor, a lady who adds fresh lustre to a name that in fiction equals yours? She says of Miss Austen: “Her heroines have a stamp of their own. THEY HAVE A CERTAIN GENTLE SELF-RESPECT AND HUMOUR AND HARDNESS OF HEART . . . Love with them does not mean a passion as much as an interest, deep and silent.” I think one prefers them so, and that Englishwomen should be more like Anne Elliot than Maggie Tulliver.

• Jane Austen in Vermont weighed in on Lang's letter in July.

Emma, cover designed by Christian LaCroix

Fabulous edition of Emma available in March 2010. The cover was designed by Christian LaCroix. 

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

First-Hand Accounts of JASNA 2010 Portland

The first-hand accounts of the 3-day meeting in Portland are starting to come in. While they do not replace actually being there, one can live vicariously through these reports and the fabulous images that were taken!

Gowns on display. Image from @the Gimlet Gallery (see below)

• Laurel Ann from Austenprose
• Deb Barnum from Jane Austen in Vermont

Debbie McVAy Aldous, Laurie Viera Rigler, and Laurel Ann Nattress at JASNA Portland 2010

Above image by Christina Angel Boyd: Click here to see her photo gallery.

• Heather Laurence from the The Gimlet Blog and her photo gallery of the conference
• Ellen Moody from Reveries Under the Sign of Austen
• Diana Birchall from Light, Bright, and Sparkling

Ellen Moody, Arnie Pearlstein, and Diana Birchall from Diana's site

For more images of this event, click on the posts. They are featured aplenty!