THE LETTERS OF CHARLOTTE BRONTE WITH A SELECTION OF LETTERS BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS -VOLUME ONE 1829-1847

This scarce volume of confidential and outspoken letters includes many published for the first time allowing Charlotte Bronte to speak with her own voice in spite of her wishes that her correspondence to her friend Ellen Nussey should be burnt. `Men don't seem to understand making letters a vehicle of communication - they always seem to think us uncautious. I'm sure I don't think I have said anything rash - however you must burn it when read.' The volume includes letters from Charlotte's childhood (the first written to her father in September 1829), and takes the reader up to the publication and review of Jane Eyre (1847). The full Introduction includes an illuminating account of the early publication history of the letters and biographical material on the main correspondents. Of particular interest in the notes to this volume are the extensive quotations from early reviews of Jane Eyre.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

A scarce copy of Volume One 1829 -47. Hardback black boards titled in gilt to spine in very good condition. Dust jacket in good condition, a little shelf worn to corners. Jacket illustration: An Extract from Charlotte Bronte’s letter to Ellen Nussey, postmarked 13 Jan 1840. Endpapers clean and crisp. Previous owner’s name written to top corner of front loose endpaper – Robert Catford. Text block in clean and crisp condition throughout. 627 pp. including 5 illustrations between pp. 318 -319.