Synopsis
A plain, blank stationer’s notebook from the 1780s in the Bodleian Library contains some of the most famous juvenilia in all of English literature. Copied out in Jane Austen’s youthful hand, Volume the First, which takes its name from the inscription on the cover, preserves the stories, playlets, verses, and moral fragments she wrote during her teenage years.
For the first time, the entire manuscript of Volume the First is available in a printed facsimile. In it, we see the young author’s delight in language, in expressing ideas and sentiments sharply and economically. We also see Jane Austen learning the craft of genre by closely observing and parodying the popular stories of her day. Kathryn Sutherland’s introduction places Jane’s Austen’s earliest works in context and explains how she mimicked even the style and manner in which these stories were presented and arranged on the page.
Clearly the work of a teenager, Volume the First reveals the development of the unmistakable voice and style that would mark out Jane Austen as one of the most popular authors of all time. None of her six famous novels survives in manuscript form. This is a unique opportunity to own a likeness of Jane Austen’s hand in the form of a complete manuscript facsimile.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
'A rare insight into the real mind of a novelist whose reputation has been so carefully shaped by her family.' -- Anna Creer * The Sydney Morning Herald * `This is exquisite ... Who could resist?' * Jane Austen's Regency World *
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Volume the First
Stock Image
Volume the First
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR006339059
Buy Used
£ 6.50
£ 5.60 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 5 available
Seller Image
Volume the First
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Like New. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. An apparently unread copy in perfect condition. Dust cover is intact with no nicks or tears. Spine has no signs of creasing. Pages are clean and not marred by notes or folds of any kind. Seller Inventory # rev3328256413
Buy Used
£ 18.15
£ 6.58 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Volume the First: A Facsimile
Seller: Sell Books, Elland, YORKS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Good. Our good condition books are generally good for reading but not for gifting or collecting. They could have imperfections such as creasing, fanning, inscriptions, margin notes, yellowing, staining on edge or cover or pages, bumps, scuffs, etc etc (sometimes multiple of these). It's a wide category that encompasses anything that isn't almost-new down to anything that is slightly better than poor. We would NOT recommend gifting Good books - these should be considered reading copies. Our books are dispatched from a Yorkshire former cotton mill. We list via barcode/ISBN so please note that the images are stock images and may not be the exact copy you receive, furthermore the details about edition and year might not be accurate as many publishers reuse the same ISBN for multiple editions and as we simply scan a barcode or enter an ISBN we do not check the validity of the edition data when listing. If you're looking for an exact edition please don't order (at least not without checking with us first, although we don't always have time to check). We aim to dispatch prompty, the service used will depend on order value and book size. We can ship to most countries, see our shipping policies. Payment is via Abe only. Seller Inventory # L-BAM00491-RAG-20250319-G
Buy Used
£ 18.77
£ 12.15 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
Volume the First: A Facsimile
Published by
The Bodleian Library, 2013
ISBN 10: 1851242813
ISBN 13: 9781851242818
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: A.O'Neill, Basingstoke, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. No Jacket. 1st Edition. Facsimile of one of Jane Austen's juvenile stories in fine condition. Seller Inventory # 012379
Seller Image
Volume the First: A Facsimile
Published by
The Bodleian Library, Oxford, 2015
ISBN 10: 1851242813
ISBN 13: 9781851242818
Used
Hardcover
Seller: AJ Scruffles, Leigh On Sea, ESSEX, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Reprint. Nicely produced facsimile of the manuscript of Jane Austen's earliest stories and writing, held in the Bodleian Library. With an introduction by Kathryn Sutherland and colour images. Square 12mo. Some very mild shelf-wear. Otherwise crisp and clean. Fine. Seller Inventory # 010607
Stock Image
Jane Austen Volume the First
Seller: Book_Attic, Newark on Trent, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Near fine. Slight rubbing to top and bottom of spine. Some evidence of erased pencil marks on title pages. Introduction by Kathryn Sutherland, Professor of Bibliography and Textual Criticism, University of Oxford. iv, 180 pp. pp. Seller Inventory # 0101837
Buy Used
£ 19
£ 22.15 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Volume the First: A Facsimile
Seller: Asano Bookshop, Nagoya, AICHI, Japan
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Brand New. Clearly the work of a teenager, 'Volume the First' reveals the development of the unmistakable voice and style that would mark out Jane Austen as one of the most popular authors of all time. This is a unique opportunity to own a likeness of Jane Austen's hand in the form of a complete manuscript facsimile. Seller Inventory # b12516