'Sold by nobody' now sold for $1.25 million

It's all over the news: the tiny book by Charlotte Brontë for sale at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair has been sold for $1.25 million. Barron's seemed to have the exclusive:

A  manuscript of unpublished poems by the novelist Charlotte Brontë, lost to public view for more than a century, sold for its asking price of $1.25 million on Thursday, according to Henry Wessells of James Cummins Bookseller, which offered the document for sale on behalf of a private owner.

Wessells declined to say who purchased the book. James Cummins Bookseller will make more information available on Monday, he said. The identity of the former owner also hasn’t been disclosed. (Josh Nathan-Kazis)

The Times also carries the story as do many others. Euronews had a video of it (prior to it being sold) where they claim that the tiny book owes its preservation to the fact that it was tucked inside a book. Most sites mention the fact that the seller was selling it because they wished 'to make certain of the work's future preservation'. Seeing the secrecy of the sale we wonder whether that's going to happen, but we will see.

It is Saint George's Day today (England's patron saint) and Yorkshire Evening Post recommends travelling 'by Train Through England’s Green and Pleasant Lands'.

The literary and culture fans among us, will enjoy immersing themselves in the delights of Yorkshire by Steam. Passengers will discover the medieval streets of historic York, visit literary landmarks in Brontë country, and journey through the stunning scenery of the North Yorkshire moors all from the base of picturesque, historic Harrogate. (Chris Page)

Book Riot shares some 'Life lessons from Anne Brontë'.

LESSON #1: YOU CAN’T CHANGE PEOPLE

In The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Helen, the protagonist, falls in love with a man whose values don’t match hers. However, Helen is convinced that she can change him. It’s a common misconception, of course, especially considering that Helen is a sheltered 18-year-old girl, and Arthur Huntingdon, the man in question, is almost a decade older. Helen learns this lesson at horrifying speed when she finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage with no legal recourse.

LESSON #2: YOU CAN’T CONTROL YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT YOU CAN MAKE THE BEST OF THEM (Carolina Ciucci) (Read more)

The Telegraph lists 'The 100 greatest novels of all time' and Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Wide Sargasso Sea are on it.

79. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (1966)

Rhys’s post-colonial prequel to Jane Eyre gives moving, human voice to the “madwoman in the attic” (Mr Rochester's first wife). [...]

14. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847)

Out on the winding, windy moors, Cathy and Heathcliff become each other’s “souls”. Then he storms off. Published under a pseudonym, it was Emily Brontë’s only novel; she died a year later. [...]

7. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847)

Poor and obscure and plain as Jane is, Mr Rochester wants to marry her. Illegally. (He’s already married – see Wide Sargasso Sea, above.)

Dreweatts has an article on Rawdon Hall.

It is alleged that the world-famous novelist and poet Charlotte Brontë visited the Hall in 1841, when she worked as a governess in nearby Upperwood House. Six years later Charlotte will write her first novel, Jane Eyre fictionally recounting her time as governess in the north of England at a “Thornfield Hall…”