The Auction of the Year

A very important auction (arguably one of the most important ones in the recent years) with Brontë-related items is taking place next December 4 in Christie's. We read on ArtDaily:

"The William E. Self Library Part II: Important English & American Literature"

Following Christie’s highly successful 2008 auction of The William E. Self Family Collection: The Kenyon Starling Library of Charles Dickens, Christie's will offer The William E. Self Library Part I: Important English and American Literature on December 4. This superb library offers remarkable 19th and 20th-century literature from notable names such as Poe, Austen, Brontë, Dickens, Melville, and Whitman.

A Hollywood actor turned producer, William E. Self enjoyed a successful career in both film and television, producing memorable shows from the 1960s–70s such as 'M*A*S*H', 'Batman', and 'Lost in Space'. Mr. Self’s passion for rare books was ignited in the 1970s when he sought a first edition as a gift for his daughter. He has since assembled one of the most important collections of English and American literature in private hands.

Sale Location: 20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
Auction Times: Dec 4 10:00 AM Lots 1 - 198

Viewing Times: Rockefeller Center
Nov 28 10am - 5pm
Nov 29 1pm - 5pm
Nov 30 10am - 5pm
Dec 1 10am - 5pm
Dec 2 10am - 5pm
Dec 3 10am - 2pm

The auctioned Brontë items include manuscripts, letters, first editions and even Charlotte Brontë's own (annotated) copy of Wuthering Heights:

Sale 5123
Lot 12
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
By Acton Bell. London: Thomas Cautley Newby, 1848.
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
3 volumes, 12^o (188 x 114 mm). Half-title in vol. I (all issued). (Lacks 2pp. ads in vol. I, half-title reinforced along gutter, repaired tear on final leaf of vol. I crossing text.) Modern half green morocco, gilt-lettered on spines, by Bayntun-Riviere for Henry Sotheran.

FIRST EDITION of Anne Bronte's only separate publication. (Read more)

Lot 13
Charlotte Brontë - Autograph manuscript of two poems, "Found in the Inn Belonging to You" ("Thou art a sweet and lovely flower..."), and "Addressed to the Tower of all Nation" ("O thou great thou mighty tower...") dated respectively "U.T. Sept. 28,1829" and "U.T. Oct 7 1829," with a title and two lines of another poem entitled "The Walk," neatly inked out.

Estimate: $50,000 - $75,000

2½ pages (53 x 35mm.), IN THE BRONTË'S MICROSCOPIC SCRIPT, with a miniature calligraphic transcript. (Light dampstaining). Dark green morocco gilt-paneled, upper cover tooled in tiny letters, enclosed in a padded compartment in a protective clamshell box, by Sangorski and Sutcliffe.

ONE OF A VERY FEW OF THE BRONTË CHILDRENS' MICROSCOPIC MANUSCRIPTS STILL IN PRIVATE HANDS. (Read more)

Lot 14
BRONTË, Charlotte. Autograph letter signed ("C., Bronte") to Henry Nussey (brother of her friend Ellen Nussey), Haworth, 5 March 1839.
Estimate: $50,000 - $70,000
3¼ pages, 4^o (225 x 185mm), page 4 with several lines text, signature and address panel. Postmarked, second leaf neatly inlaid to a larger sheet. A small (85 x 25mm). piece bearing original signature cut from pages 3-4, but expertly restored.

CHARLOTTE BRONTë ELOQUENTLY DECLINES AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE: "MY ANSWER TO YOUR PROPOSAL MUST BE A DECIDED NEGATIVE" (Read more)

Lot 15
BRONTË, Charlotte. Autograph letter signed ("C Brontë") to the Rev. Henry Nussey, Haworth, 26 May 1840.
4pp., 4^o ( 227 x 187mm). The second leaf neatly inlaid.
Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000

"YOU MUST NOT AGAIN ASK ME TO WRITE IN A REGULAR LITERARY WAY...I CANNOT DO IT AT ALL - DO YOU THINK I AM, A BLUE-STOCKING?
A lengthy, thoughtful letter, praising Ellen Nussey's character, considering the different insights of men and women and the risks and rewards of matrimony. Charlotte has neglected to answer a letter of Henry's: "Your sister Ellen often accuses me of want of punctuality in answering letters and I think her accusation is here justified." But, she explains, "when the letter came Ellen was staying with me, and I was so fully occupied in talking to her, that I had no time to think of writing to others - this is no great compliment, but it is no insult either -- you know Ellen's worth -- you know how seldom I see her, and from these Jeremiads you may easily draw the influence that her company when once obtained is to valuable to be wasted for a moment..." (Read more)

Lot 16
BRONTË, Charlotte. Autograph letter signed ("C., Bronte") to the Reverend Henry Nussey (brother of her friend Ellen Nussey), Upper Wood House, Rawden, May 9 [1841].
Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000
3 pages, 4^o (228 x 187mm), page 4 with address panel in Charlotte's hand, postmarked, second leaf neatly inlaid to a larger sheet.

"... IF I WRITE AT ALL I MUST WRITE AS I THINK"
A gracious, faintly chiding letter to Reverend Henry, containing a wistful recollection of her distant home and her beloved siblings, who are, at this date, scattered far apart. At this date Charlotte was serving as governess to the White family in Rawden. She tells Henry -- whom she considered rather dull -- that she is taking "part of a Sunday evening" to write him, and adds that, since "Sunday evening is almost my only time of leisure, no one would blame me if I were to spend this spare hour in a pleasant chat with a friend, is it worse to spend it in writing, a friendly letter?" (Read more)

Lot 17
[BRONTË, Charlotte (1816-1855), Emily (1818-1848) and Anne (1820-1849)]. Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. London: Aylott and Jones, 1846.
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000
8^o (169 x 106 mm). Errata slip at end. (Gatherings G and H sprung.) Original green cloth, covers blocked in blind with geometric design, gilt-lettered on front cover (front hinge weak); morocco pull-off case. Provenance: owner's gift inscription on front free endpaper.

FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE of the Brontë sisters' first published work. (Read more)

Lot 18
[BRONTË, Charlotte, Emily and Anne]. Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1846 [but 1848].
8^o (170 x 107 mm). Advertisement leaf at end, errata leaf tipped in after Contents. Original green cloth, covers blocked in blind with harp design and ornamental border, gilt-lettered spine (slightly faded, chipped at head of spine).
FIRST EDITION, second (and usual) issue, with Smith, Elder's cancel title-page of 1848 and in Carter's binding B. Ashley I., p. 70-71 (Read more)

Lot 19
[BRONTË, Charlotte]. Jane Eyre. An Autobiography. Edited by Currer Bell. London: Smith Elder, 1847.
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000
3 volumes, 8o. Half-titles, publisher's 32-page catalogue dated October 1847 preceded by inset fly title dated June 1847 and one advertising leaf for The Calcutta Review at end of volume I. Original plum cloth, covers stamped in blind with triple-line border enclosing ropework border, gilt-lettered on spines (some repairs to spine ends and joints); quarter morocco slipcase.

FIRST EDITION of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. (Read more)

Lot 20
[BRONTË, Charlotte]. Shirley. A Tale. By Currer Bell, author of "Jane Eyre." London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1849.
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
3 volumes, 8^o (198 x 122 mm). With 16-page advertisements in vol. I dated October 1849 and 3-page advertisments in vol. III. Original claret cloth, decorated in blind, gilt-lettered on spines (spines slightly darkened, some light wear at ends of spines, front joint of vol. I with repair and partly split at head, endpaper in vol. II clipped along foremargin).
FIRST EDITION. (Read more)

Lot 21
[BRONTË, Charlotte]. Poetry Past and Present. A Collection for Every-Day reading and Amusement. London: John and Charles Mozley, 1849.
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000
12^o (139 x 88 mm). Illustrations in text. Contemporary green polished calf, spine gilt, edges gilt.
Provenance: CHARLOTTE BRONTË (inscription on front free endpaper).
"IN REMEMBRANCE": CHARLOTTE BRONTË REFLECTS ON THE DEATH OF HER SISTER EMILY
INSCRIBED BY CHARLOTTE BRONTË on the verso of the front free endpaper: "C. Brontë, to Emily -- Haworth. In remembrance. July 18, 1849. Glad I shall be to be home again. 'Once more I return to my dear native home, And from the old Farm ne'er again will I roam.' I love these lines; but can I safely say this? C.B." (Read more)

Lot 22
BRONTË, Charlotte. Autograph letter signed ("C Brontë") to "My dear Mrs. Forster (wife of John Forster?), in Rawden, Haworth, 28 October 1851.
1 page, 12mo, integral blank, with note "authoress of Jane Eyre."
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
..."IT IS NOT IN MY POWER TO LEAVE HOME.... Charlotte, whose health had become delicate, declines an invitation, evidently from Mr. and Mrs John Forster: "We are come to the close of the month and I find it is not in my power to leave home. There would be no use in dwelling on the regret I feel at this circumstance; I can but once more thank you and Mr. Forster for your kindness (of which I am as sensible as if I had been able more fully to profit for it) and beg you briefly to believe me Sincerely yours...." (Read more)

Lot 23
[BRONTË, Charlotte]. Villette. By Currer Bell, author of "Jane Eyre," "Shirley," etc. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1853.
3 volumes, 8^o (197 x 122 mm). 12-page publisher's advertisement dated January 1853 in vol. I. Original brown cloth, blindstamped on covers, gilt-lettered on spines (repairs to spine ends); quarter morocco slipcase.
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

FIRST EDITION. (Read more)

Lot 24
[BRONTË, Charlotte (1816-1855)]. The Professor, a Tale. By Currer Bell. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1857.
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
2 volumes, 8^o (196 x 127 mm.). Half titles, advertisement leaf at end of vol. one, 16-page publisher's advertisement dated June 1857 at end of vol. two. Original blind-stamped plum cloth, by Westley's, with their ticket (spines lightly darkened); morocco slipcase.
FIRST EDITION OF CHARLOTTE BRONTë'S FIRST NOVEL (Read more)

Lot 25
[BRONTË, Charlotte (1816-1855)]. The Professor, a Tale. By Currer Bell. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1857.
Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500
2 volumes, 8^o (196 x 127 mm.). Half titles, advertisement leaf at end of vol. one, 16-page publisher's advertisement dated June 1857 at end of vol. two. Original blind-stamped plum cloth, by Westley's, with their ticket (spines lightly darkened); morocco slipcase.
FIRST EDITION OF CHARLOTTE BRONTë'S FIRST NOVEL (Read more)

Lot 26
[BRONTË, Charlotte]. GASKELL, E.C. The Life of Charlotte Brontë. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1857.
Estimate: $300 - $400
2 volumes, 8o (197 x 124 mm). Half-titles. EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED with the addition of thirteen watercolor drawings and 24 prints, and with additional manuscript title and contents leaf in volume 1. Early 20th-century green morocco, the front covers with title painted within inset translucent vellum medallion, spine gilt, top edges gilt.
A FINE EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED COPY. (Read more)

Lot 27
[BRONTË, Emily and Anne. Wuthering Heights. A Novel. By Ellis Bell. -- Agnes Grey. A Novel. By Acton Bell. London: Thomas Cautley Newby, 1847].
3 volumes, 8o. Advertisement leaves R3-4 in volume three. (Title pages removed, pages 163-168 lacking from volume one [see note below], volume three with pages 12-24 repaired.) Original reddish-brown cloth, Smith Variant B (some fading and soiling, volume three front hinge cracked); cloth folding case.

Provenance: CHARLOTTE BRONTË (her pencil annotations in volume one); Rev. Arthur Bell Nichols, Charlotte Brontë's husband (who sold books from her library to); Clement Shorter (bookplates in volumes one and two, his sale Sotheby's, 18 June 1928, lot 32); anonymous owner, Sotheby's London, 28 June 1964, lot 390; anonymous owner, Sotheby's London, 29 October 1968, lot 473; The Property of a Lady, Sotheby's London, 24 June 1975, lot 281A.

CHARLOTTE BRONTË'S COPY OF 'WUTHERING HEIGHTS' AND 'AGNES GREY': WITH HER PENCIL ANNOTATIONS, CORRECTIONS AND GLOSSES THROUGHOUT VOLUME ONE

FIRST EDITION OF EMILY BRONTË'S ONLY NOVEL, PUBLISHED WITH HER SISTER ANNE'S 'AGNES GREY' AND OWNED BY THEIR SISTER CHARLOTTE. (Read more)

Lot 28
BRONTË, Reverend Patrick (1777-1861). Cottage Poems. Halifax: P.K.Holden for the author, 1811.
Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500
8^o in 4s (153 x 98 mm). Half-title. Contemporary half sheep, marbled boards (some wear to joints and spine ends). Provenance: Apley Castle (manuscript note on front pastedown).

FIRST EDITION. (Read more)

Categories: Brontëana