An etui, or what is more commonly referred to as a small case, which belonged to Jane Austen. It is made from ivory and the ornamental case consists of three parts: the spool, the case, and the monogrammed lid. The inside contains a spool bobbin which was used for winding silks. The monogrammed lid initials are of course, J.A, which refers to Jane Austen.
This spool case was one of three Jane Austen items purchased into the collection from Jane Austen’s descendant Edith Stokes. R.W Chapman, who acted as an intermediary between the museum and Jane’s great niece was able to retrieve this item, along with two purses, into the Winchester City Council collection which is now cared for today by Hampshire Cultural Trust.
Robert William Chapman was an Oxford scholar, book collector and editor of works by Samuel Johnson and Jane Austen. Although he is more well known for his work on Johnson’s diaries, Chapman had a keen interest in Jane Austen which was sparked by his wife, who played a key role by contributing to his work through her collection of various editions of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Northanger Abbey’.
He also played a major role in Oxford University Press, working as the secretary for a total of 36 years. During his time at the press, he also played a part in producing the Oxford English Dictionary. In March 1926, when this item came into the collection, Chapman published and edited a revised edition of the ‘Memoirs of Jane Austen’ by James Edward Austen-Leigh, who was the nephew of Jane.
This item is currently on display at the Winchester City Museum.
This object was audited and researched as part of the Heritage Funded Data Hunters and Story Gatherers project.
