The Professor, A Tale (2 vols.)
London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1857. First edition. Hardcover. Octavos. Vol.1: (viii) 294pp. 2pp. Vol.2: 258pp. [1] 8pp. Original period brown morocco boards, spine with gilt lettering on red labels and raised bands. Gilt dentelles and marbled endpapers. A very nice copy of the first edition of the first novel written by Charlotte Brontë. Although written before the author's breakout success with Jane Eyre, this novel was originally rejected by publishers at the time, and was not published until two years after her untimely death in 1855. Both volumes are complete with the original period publisher's advertisements on numbered pages at the rear. Noted printing errors in this true first issue copy are the transposing of the last letters on the first two lines of p.21 in volume 1, the periods missing at the end of the headlines of pages 58 and 221 of volume 2, and the "p" at the beginning of the third line of p. 99 (vol.2) missing.
Bindings with some light rubbing to extremities, and some minor scratching, abrasions and/or stains to the covers. Minor chipping to the head of the spine of the second volume. Book blocks tight. Interior with a very few minor instances of smudges or tiny water stains. Light pencil notes on the initial blank of the first volume. Bindings in very good-, interior in near fine condition overall. vg- to near fine. Item #50002
Price: $1,250.00