Fine Brontë editions

A new auction at Sotheby's New York (22 Nov - 8 Dec 2023 with several Brontë-related items:

Sotheby’s New York’s “Fine Books and Manuscripts,” open for bidding the 22nd of November through the 8th of December, is led by a single-owner sequence of exceptional 19th-century literature, “Property from an Important American Collection.

”Bringing together first editions of each of Jane Austen’s finished novels; Austen’s own copy of Isaac D'Israeli’s Curiosities of Literature; first editions of each of the Brontë sisters’ finished novels; a presentation copy of Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations, and a host of other high spots, this is an extraordinary assemblage, which we are proud to offer. (...) Whether a seasoned collector, or simply in search of the perfect holiday gift, a highlights exhibition will be on display the 1st through the 6th of December to coincide with Sotheby’s Luxury Week. Private views are available upon request.

[Brontë, Emily, and Ann Brontë] — Ellis Bell and Acton Bell | An outstanding survival of the sisters' debut novels

Wuthering Heights. A Novel, by Ellis Bell [And:] Agnes Grey. A Novel, by Acton Bell. London: Thomas Cautley Newby, 1847

3 volumes, 12mo (Wuthering Heights: 190 x 117 mm; Agnes Grey: 194 x 121 mm). Wuthering Heights: 2 vols. Minor and scattered foxing primarily to Vol. II. Later half brown morocco and marbled paper-covered boards, spines with raised bands in six compartments, green morocco lettering-pieces to second and third, edges marbled. Agnes Grey: Lacking publisher's ads at end, one or two stray spots and smudges. Later half brow pebble-grain morocco and marbled paper-covered boards, spine with raised bands in six compartment, second and third gilt-lettered, other with repeat pattern in gilt, top edge gilt; extremities rubbed, upper joint tender. Housed together in custom slipcase.

Brontë, Charlotte | "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me..."

Jane Eyre. An Autobiography. Edited by Currer Bell. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1847

3 volumes, 8vo (195 x 121 mm). Half-title to each volume, 32-page publisher's catalogue dated October 1847; lacking fly-title dated June 1847 and “Calcutta Review” leaf, occasional and light foxing. Original brown-purple fine-ribbed cloth, covers decoratively ruled and blocked in blind, spines gilt-lettered, binders' ticket of Westleys & Clark at rear inside cover of vol. I; minor shelfwear, nearly imperceptible restoration to lower hinge of vol. I, slight and even fading to spin
es. Each housed in folding chemise and morocco pull-off case.

Brontë, Charlotte | The author's third novel, the last published in her lifetime Villette. By Currer Bell, Author of "Jane Eyre," "Shirley," Etc. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1853

3 volumes, 8vo. 12 page publisher's advertisements to the end of volume I dated January 1853. Publisher's brown cloth, spines gilt; inner joint of volume I cracked, head and foot of spines very slightly bumped. Collector's cloth slipcase, folding chemise.

Brontë, Charlotte | The Professor, the author's first novel, published posthumously

The Professor, A Tale. By Currer Bell, Author Of "Jane Eyre," "Shirley," "Villette," &C. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 65, Cornhill. 1857

2 volumes, 8vo. Half-titles, uncut, 2 pages of publisher's advertisements at end of volume I, 8 pages of advertisements for the Uniform Edition of the Works of Currer Bell at the end of volume 2, followed by 16pp. advertisements dated June 1857. Publisher's purple cloth by Westley's and Co.; spines sunned, joints and extremities exhibiting slight wear. Collector's blue cloth slipcase with folding chemise.