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Antique Solid mahogany writing box in typical late 18th century style c1790 

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  In 1798 Jane  Austen and her writing box were briefly separated. It delayed a letter.

WB469: Solid mahogany writing box in typical late 18th century style c1790. This box is of the same period and type as that used by Jane Austen . Click here for more images.

Jane Austen's writing box now in the British Library

WB469: Solid mahogany writing box in typical late 18th century style c1790. 

This box is of the same period and type as that used by Jane Austen . 

The  box, now in the British Library, was purchased by Jane Austen's father, the Reverend George Austen, from Ring Brothers at Basingstoke in December 1794. It was the State of the Art   writing accessory on whose surfaces (1796) Jane began to write "Pride and Prejudice", initially called "[M]y own darling child" was later "lopt & cropt" .

In 1798 Jane and her writing box were briefly separated. Her letter written from the "Bull and George in Deptford  to her sister Cassandra illustrates  just how important the box was to Jane.

I should have begun my letter soon after our arrival but for a little adventure which prevented me. After we had been here a quarter of an hour it was discovered that my writing and dressing boxes had been by accident put into a chaise which was just packing off as we came in, and were driven away towards Gravesend in their way to the West Indies. No part of nay property could have been such a prize before, for in my writing-box was all my worldly wealth, 7£., Mr Nottley immediately despatched a man and horse after the chaise, and in half an hour's time I had the pleasure of being as rich as ever; they were got about two or three miles off.

"I should have begun my letter soon after our arrival but for a little adventure which prevented me. After we had been here a quarter of an hour it was discovered that my writing and dressing boxes had been by accident put into a chaise which was just packing off as we came in, and were driven away towards Gravesend in their way to the West Indies. No part of nay property could have been such a prize before, for in my writing-box was all my worldly wealth, £7., Mr Nottley immediately despatched a man and horse after the chaise, and in half an hour's time I had the pleasure of being as rich as ever; they were got about two or three miles off."

see: www.jasna.org/persuasions/announceP30.html 

You can read Jane Austen's full letter below.

 

 

 

 

 

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All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2009 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly. If you require any further information on permitted use, or a licence to republish any material, email us at copyright@hygra.com