by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell
THE FIRST ISSUE BRONTE POEMS - ONE OF JUST 39 COPIES
Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell
Aylott and Jones, 1846.
First edition, first issue. Octavo (166 × 104 mm). Finely bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe in early twentieth-century green straight-grain morocco, title and decorations to spine gilt with gilt raised bands, gilt rules to covers, marbled endpapers, turn-ins and top edge gilt. With the original green cloth bound in at rear (Parrish binding II). A near fine copy which shows a little wear to spine ends and tips and fading to the spine, internally fresh.
One of the great rarities of nineteenth century literature. "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 (The Brontë Sisters).
1000 copies were printed in 1846, of which 961 were sold to Smith, Elder two years later, making copies of the first issue "virtually unprocurable" (Smith).
Smith 1
Stock ID: 35269
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