Shirley. A Tale.

First edition. Three volumes. 8vo. iv, 303, [1], 16 [publisher’s catalogue]; iv, 308; iv, 320 pp. Original embossed purple cloth, spines lettered in gilt. London, Smith & Elder.

Charlotte Brontë’s second novel, which she began in 1848, but before she could finish it, she lost her three remaining siblings, Branwell, Emily and Anne in quick succession. After Anne died, she began writing the novel again and wrote to her publisher that it had helped with her grief.? 

Spines sympathetically re-backed, and less sympathetically faded, corners a little frayed, repairs to hinges evident, bookplate to front paste-downs. In a custom made box.

Michael Sadleir, XIX Century Literature a Bibliographical Record Based on his own Collection, [348]. T. J. Wise, A bibliography of the writings in prose and verse of the members of the Brontë family, (6).

Stock Code: 241037