by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell
THE BRONTE SISTERS'S FIRST BOOK
Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell
Smith, Elder & Co., 1846.
First edition, second issue with cancelled title page. Bound for Sotheran in half blue morocco, with elaborate gilt decoration to spine. The single page advertisement, titled "Prose Fictions" is bound to the rear, rather than preceding the title page. A very good copy.
The rarity of the first issue of Poems is attributed to the obscure imprint of Aylott and Jones, who were primarily booksellers and stationers rather than publishers, lacking distribution outlets. Poetry was not generally popular in the 1840s, and the Brontë sisters were unknown authors who sponsored the publication and advertising of the volume. About fourteen copies were distributed to reviewers; only two were sold; and an unknown number of courtesy copies were sent by Charlotte Brontë to other authors whom the sisters revered. In 1848, George Smith bought the remaining stock, including sheets, cases, and bound copies; and he published under the Smith, Elder imprint a second issue - Smith.
PROVENANCE: Howard Douglas Leonard Galton (1858-1923), British book collector, thence by descent.
Smith 1
Stock ID: 43580
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