1850 FIRST EDITION Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell - Scarce Antique Brontë Book

In very good condition, here is an incredibly exciting find. A scarce antique hardback copy of the first book ever published by the Brontës. In fact, the sisters paid for these very pages to be published (see below). Being a 1st edition (second state 1850), copy of Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. Stated Smith, Elder and Co., London 1846, but actually an 1850 state, as described below. Clean, tight and square. Re-backed with original spine cloth relayed. Still has the original Errata slip in place, with a dated 1850 catalogue at the rear.

Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell was the very first book published by the Brontë sisters, issued anonymously in 1846 under their now‑famous “Bell” pseudonyms. Printed at their own expense by Aylott & Jones a small publisher, the volume sold only two copies, leaving almost the entire print run untouched in the printer’s warehouse. Yet this quiet little book marks the true beginning of the Brontës’ literary story — the moment before Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Agnes Grey changed Victorian fiction forever.

When Aylott & Jones withdrew from publishing, the remaining stock of 961 copies was acquired by Smith, Elder & Co., the firm that had brought Jane Eyre to the public. This copy is the original sheets, with cancelled title page and with the 1850 catalogue added at the end. This makes it a particularly interesting bibliographical variant: a genuine first edition in every respect, simply distributed a few years later when interest in the sisters began to grow.

The poems themselves offer a rare glimpse of the sisters before fame. Emily’s pieces are powerful and atmospheric, Anne’s thoughtful and observant, and Charlotte’s show the emotional clarity that would soon make Jane Eyre a sensation. Together, they form an intimate portrait of three remarkable writers at the very start of their creative lives.

Surviving copies of the 1846 edition are scarce, and those identifiable by the 1850 catalogue are appealing to collectors. They capture both the anonymity of the Brontës’ earliest venture and the rising interest that followed their novels — a fascinating moment in literary history, preserved in its original form.

Inside the pages are tightly bound. With scattered spotting and the odd handling mark and brown blemish. Inscription to the top of the title page. Original Errata slip still in place. Original endpapers.

Olive green ribbed cloth have blind stamping decoration to the front and back in the form of decorative borders and lyre harps to the centre. Clean and bright. With mild rounding to corners and a little darkening to the cloth around the edges. A few light spots to the front and back. The spine cloth has been relayed and there had originally been loss at the head and tail (see photos). The gilt titles remain bright and the spine restoration has been very well done.

The chance to own a scarce piece of Brontë history and a book which does not come up for sale very often.

Your copy of Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged with full tracking and insurance. I am always happy to add a gift message if desired.

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H 18 cm x W 11.5 cm, 165 pages, 0.21 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. With the exception of a small number of countries.

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

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