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No 1 Royal Crescent launches a novel Jane Austen experience [Bath Chronicle (England)](Bath Chronicle (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Just in time to coincide with Bath's popular Jane Austen Festival which opens on September 16, No 1 Royal Crescent is opening its own Jane Austen: Putting Pen to Paper exhibition which opens on September 13 and runs until the end of the following month. This year also marks the 200th anniversary of the issue of Jane Austen's first published work Sense and Sensibility. Jane Austen is one of the most enduringly popular of English authors. Her writing has been scrutinised, her life examined, and her novels adapted, but have you considered how these well-loved works came into being? This special temporary exhibition created by the Bath Preservation Trust includes a rare set of Jane Austen's first editions on loan from a private collection. Visitors to the exhibition can learn more about the life of Jane's novels as the story reveals the craftsmanship of book production in the 18th century and the importance of reading in Jane Austen's Bath. Between 1801 and 1806 Jane Austen lived in Bath. Although Jane Austen's novels were never published in Bath, this exhibition reveals that Bath was a printing industry hub. From the vast array of bookshops to circulating libraries, it is clear to see that those revelling in the social season also enjoyed the delights and pleasures of reading a good book. This exhibition will be the first opportunity to see a complete collection of Jane Austen's first editions in Bath. These treasures will be exhibited alongside tools used in the book binding process. Stamps and rollers will show the exquisite designs used by gilders to create the perfect library for their clients. Beautifully coloured illustrations from later editions will highlight Jane's narrative, defining her characteristic hallmark of accuracy and attention to detail. Jane Austen features in the range of literature studied at Key Stage 3 and 4 so this exhibition is particularly relevant for this age group. The exhibition is open exclusively for schools, to arrange a group visit. Contact administrator Georgie Swindells at [email protected]. The exhibition is free with normal admission to the museum. On Thursday September 22 the museum goes back a few years before Jane Austen's time with a medieval walking tour following Joseph Gilmore's 1694 map of The City of Bath which reveals what Bath was like before the Georgians. On that day, Bath visitors and enthusiasts will have an opportunity to learn about the city's evolution from a medieval city to a Georgian spa and beyond. Focusing on Joseph Gilmore's fascinating 1694 city map, a presentation by Building Historian Kay Ross will be followed by a walking tour of the pre-Georgian parts of the city. ANCIENT TIMES: The map depicts the city still largely contained within its medieval walls. Around the border are illustrations of the various lodging houses and inns that provided accommodation for the 17th century visitors to Bath. The map also contains intriguing details such as the existence of a fives court (a game involving hitting a ball against a wall) located just outside the west gate. The morning begins and ends at the Building of Bath Collection at The Countess of Huntingdon''s Chapel, Paragon. Starting at 9.30am, refreshments will be available during the presentation and lunch will follow the walk, finishing at 1pm. Tickets cost Pounds 25 per head (Pounds 15 concessions) and to book your place please telephone 01225 333895 or email [email protected] (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |