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. Original olive green cloth, stamped in blind on the boards with gilt titles to the spine. Eight advertising leaves, dated November 1849, bound at rear. A near fine copy with a little tanning to the spine and trivial wear to the tail of the spine, but bright and crisp. Bookplate to front pastedown and initials to front free endpaper, internally clean. A well preserved 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 The Brontë Sisters
Smith 1
Stock ID: 37658
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