1857 Jane Eyre by Currer Bell (Charlotte Bronte) / Extremely Early Copy Published Just 10 Years After Original / Smith, Elder and Co, London

A very early and extremely scarce 1857 edition of Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel Jane Eyre. Originally published on 16th October 1847 by Smith, Elder and Co., Ltd of London, in three volumes using Bronte's pseudonym Currer Bell. This copy was published just ten years later in 1857, just two years after Bronte's death. It was entitled a "New Edition" also by Smith, Elder and Co. with the aim of producing a one volume, more affordable version for a wider audience. It is exceptionally hard to find a copy of Jane Eyre in this edition today and if you can find one they usually have not survived very well. This copy at 167 years old inevitably has some wear but it is in good condition. In fact one of the best condition copies in this edition that I have come across so far.

Inside the pages are in good condition, tightly bound. There is scattered spotting, a few brown blemishes and folded corners. A couple of the pages have rough edges from their initial opening. Has a name on the verso of the front free endpaper. A little of the ink from this has transferred to the title page opposite (see photos). The book opens and closes with publisher's adverts to the endpapers and with a four page catalogue at the back. Cracks open a little to the top of the front hinge but in no way effecting the binding which is good and strong. This is an unillustrated version of the novel. The book has developed a mild lean with time.

Bound in the original orange boards with black titles. The black writing has rubbed in a few places. Has some faint darkening from handling in places. With the odd crease and bump to the cloth. 

The orange on the spine has faded in comparison to the boards and there is a crease line down the cloth. Has some rubbing at the head and tail with a few small splits to the cloth at the top and bottom joints. The black titles are still clearly distinct.

Your 1857 copy of Jane Eyre will be wrapped with great care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged with tracking and full insurance. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel. 

At time of writing I also have a copy of Wuthering Heights from 1858 in the matching edition.

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H 18 cm X W 12 cm, 467 pages, 0.4 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. 

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped and sent simply in the full protective packaging, simply add a note to the order, or separate DM.

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