Books

3 vols., 8vo., First Edition, uniform mid-nineteenth inscription above title on all three title-pages, fore-margins mildly age-soiled (rather more heavily so on first leaves of first volume; see below); attractively bound in contemporary half calf, marbled boards, back ruled with six flat bands, second compartments lettered in gilt, fourth compartments numbered in gilt, backstrip gilt faded (but all lettering and numbering wholly legible), neatly recased with new endpapers, sprinkled edges, a very good, tight copy. The work was issued without half-titles. This is likely to be an early issue since it is bound without the 16pp publisher's catalogue dated October 1849 sometimes found at end of first volume. With the first of two leaves of publisher's advertisements at end of third volume. The mid-nineteenth century presentation inscription above titles is blotted and obtrusive but nowhere affects printed lettering. This copy has the following minor imperfections: Vol. I: mild marginal age-soiling to title and following eight leaves, short closed tear on title neatly repaired on verso; Vol. III: wanting second leaf of publisher's advertisements at end. The first leaf (here present) contains the announcement of the third edition of Jane Eyre, the second leaf (here absent) contains press opinions of the same work. Overall a nice copy of the author's second novel (set during the Luddite riots) in partially restored period binding. SCARCE. Sadleir 348; Smith, p.112; Parrish, p. 93; Wise 6 (pp.22-29).

"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte is a bildungsroman that chronicles the life of its eponymous protagonist. Orphaned and mistreated as a child, Jane Eyre grows up at Gateshead Hall under the care of her cruel aunt and cousins. She then attends Lowood School, where she faces hardship but receives an education that shapes her character. As a young woman, Jane becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, employed by the enigmatic and brooding Mr. Rochester. Jane's time at Thornfield Hall is marked by her growing affection for Rochester, despite their differing social statuses. Their relationship blossoms until a shocking revelation about Rochester's past disrupts their plans for marriage. Forced to leave Thornfield Hall, Jane finds refuge at Moor House, where she discovers her distant relatives, the Rivers family. She forms strong bonds with them but remains haunted by her love for Rochester. The narrative reveals Jane's fierce independence, unwavering principles, and quest for autonomy and love despite societal constraints. Eventually, she inherits a fortune and learns that Rochester, now blind and maimed from a tragic fire, seeks reconciliation. Returning to Rochester, Jane finds him humbled and rehabilitated. They reunite and marry, embracing a life together built on mutual respect and equality. "Jane Eyre" is not only a tale of romance but also a nuanced exploration of societal expectations, feminism, morality, and the struggle for personal identity and integrity. Bronte's novel broke boundaries by portraying a strong-willed, independent female protagonist who defies convention in her pursuit of love and self-realization. The novel's enduring appeal lies in its compelling characters, richly detailed settings, and themes that resonate across generations, making "Jane Eyre" a timeless classic in English literature.