Brontës at Christie's

As we have informed previously, today July 3, the Albin Schram collection of Autograph Letters goes on auction at Christie's. Two Brontë-related letters are present on this auction.

We already published information about the lot number 021:

BRONTË, Charlotte (1816-1855). Autograph letter signed ('C. Bronte') to W[illiam] S[mith] Williams, [Haworth], 9 November 1849, on mourning paper, 3 pages, 8vo, integral blank (the letter tipped onto folio album leaf, the envelope pasted on below with back folded out, lacks postage stamp). Provenance: Pencarrow Collection of Autograph Manuscripts, Sotheby's London, 8 December 1999, lot 4.
Estimate 20,000 - 25,000 £

More information

The Lot number 022 is a letter from Patrick Brontë:

BRONTË, Patrick (1777-1861). Autograph letter signed ('P. Brontë') to George Taylor, Haworth, 29 February 1844, 3 pages, 4to, with integral address panel, remnants of wax seal (a few splits or holes at folds, tear from seal with loss affecting final page, address panel lightly browned, occasional spots).
Estimate 3,000 - 5,000 £

Lot Description

BRONTË, Patrick (1777-1861). Autograph letter signed ('P. Brontë') to George Taylor, Haworth, 29 February 1844, 3 pages, 4to, with integral address panel, remnants of wax seal (a few splits or holes at folds, tear from seal with loss affecting final page, address panel lightly browned, occasional spots).

A compassionate letter, concerning a 'very severe and great affliction, one of the greatest that can fall to our human nature'. Brontë writes to George Taylor, of the Manor House at Stanbury, of his concern for his fellow churchwarden, Enoch Thomas, to whom he has tried to offer 'the most consolatory advice ... but what can console a man, under his circumstances?'. Brontë, who is unable to venture out into the snow because of his 'very weak' eyes, displays a deep sympathy and understanding of Thomas's plight, 'His mind, which is, in a very disordered state should be diverted, as much as possible, from his present way of thinking -- He is ... unfit, for his present arduous, situation'. Thomas, the landlord of the King's Arms, was suffering from depression , following his involvement in the Beaver forgery case held at York As sizes on 20 March 1843 (ed. D. Green, The Letters of the Reverend Patrick Brontë, Nonsuch: 2005, p.145, n.2). Published in The Letters of the Reverend Patrick Brontë, p.168.

Categories: Brontëana, Charlotte Brontë, Patrick Brontë