Jane Austen Revealed: World Book Day at the Bodleian (UK)

The Bodleian Libraries mark this year's World Book Day (1 March) with a series of events dedicated to one of the greatest British writers, Jane Austen. These include a one-day display, a lunchtime talk and a book launch. On display for the first time will be a decorative cross stitch sampler by Jane Austen and a newly-discovered portrait which has been the subject of recent research by Austen scholars. As both items are on loan from private collections specially for this one-day Austen display, this is a unique opportunity for lovers of Austen to see items directly linked to the writer. The sampler is signed and dated 'Jane Austen 17[8]7' (some of the stitching from the '8' has come away), and was made when the novelist was eleven or twelve. A note attached to the back of the frame states that an early owner 'was related to Jane Austen the novelist' and that she 'received it as a memento of her (n.b. Austen's) life.'