Shirley, a Tale by Bell, Currer (Charlotte Bronte) - 1849

London: Smith, Elder and Co, 1849. First Edition. Octavo. First issue, bound in the original publisher's vertically ribbed purple cloth(a paper-thin cloth) faded to blue. The University of Texas acquired a set of this novel which, unlike others seen or reported, has the first two volumes cased in vertically ribbed cloth, with volume I bearing a catalog dated September. These possibly represent the original book state of "proof copies". Apparently, when the last volume was cased, the publisher decided to issue the entire set in horizontally ribbed cloth, as all other copies show and inset in the first volume a catalog dated October or November. It was published October 26 [William B. Todd] In three volumes. Vol. I. 303pp., 16pp. ads dated October 1849. Vol. II. 308pp., p. 304 correctly numbered and with the uncorrected "Well said he " and Vol. III. 320 which includes the listing for the 3rd edition of Jane Eyre and the opinions of the press, no half-titles as issued. Author's second work following Jane Eyre. Soon after publishing Jane Eyre, she began writing her next novel, Shirley. It was during this time that her two sisters had died, making it quite difficult for her but she worked through the writing in spite of her deep grief. Her sister Emily died in December of 1848 and Ann in May 1849. Rebacked with the original spine laid down retaining the original endpapers, spines darkened, light wear to corners, damp staining to upper board of volume two but not extending to leaves. internally very clean without foxing. A very early and scarce set.