JANE Austen’s House Museum has launched a new fundraising appeal.
The Chawton museum is appealing for donations to make a private purchase of a letter written by Jane Austen’s only sister, Cassandra, shortly after the author’s death in 1817.
Describing Jane as a “dear Angel”, Cassandra addresses the letter to Fanny Knight, the eldest child of her brother Edward. She ends the letter asking whether Fanny would prefer to receive a lock of Jane’s hair mounted in a ring or a brooch.
The letter is currently on loan and on display at the museum in Chawton, the location where the letter was originally written.
The museum has three months – from May to July – to raise £10,000 from individual supporters.
Mary Guyatt, curator of Jane Austen’s House Museum, said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to bring this rare and poignant letter into our permanent collection and to thereby ensure it can be appreciated by the widest public now and in years to come.”
To contribute to the appeal, visit jane-austens-housemuseum.org.uk.
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