[BRONTE (Emily and Anne)] Wuthering Heights, Agnes Grey, together 3 vols., 1st edition, London: Thomas Cautley Newby, 1847, 12mo, vol. III (Agnes Grey) title repaired at gutter and some leaves supplied from a shorter [later] copy, and all generally a little age and dust toned with the odd finger mark, blue half morocco by Riviere & Son for Sotheran
The rare first editions of the two sisters' first novels. Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey were accepted for publication before Charlotte Bronte had completed Jane Eyre, but in the event Jane Eyre was published first. It was successful and inspired the publisher Newby to bring forward the release of Wuthering Heights with Agnes Grey. The exact number of copies printed is unknown, but it is suggested by Charlotte in a letter of 13 September 1850 that the print run of Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey was limited to 250 copies.
Sold for £46,000
Condition Report
Please note this lot is being sold 'as viewed and with all condition issues'. It lacks the advert leaves and as stated above, some leaves, particularly the shorter leaves in Agnes Grey, appear to be of later date, possibly also the title pages. These are being sold by a descendant of the original owner whose bookplate appears in all the volumes.
Auction: The Library Sale, 27th Apr, 2023