1849 Shirley. A Tale.

Description

Leather Binding, Very Scarce

The very scarce two volume first Tauchnitz Edition of this novel by Charlotte Bronte, marking the first publication of these novels in continental Europe.

Published in the same year as the first edition.

With Bronte's pseudonym, 'Currer Bell', to the title pages.

Smith, pages 131-133. Lacking the half title to each volume. Also lacking the blank that should appear between each half title and title page, and the blank which should appear following each title page. Retaining colophon leaf to the rear of volume II.

Bronte's social novel is set in Yorkshire in 1811–12, during the industrial depression resulting from the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. It is set against the backdrop of the Luddite uprisings in the Yorkshire textile industry.

Christian Bernhard Tauchnitz founded his Leipzig publishing firm in 1837 at the age of 20. His specialism was publishing foreign language books, particularly English. He began his firm at a defining period for English literature, as popular authors were producing a wider range of work in differing genres and forms.

Tauchnitz started his 'Collection of British Authors' in 1842, and it continued for almost exactly 100 years. By breaking with the European practise of ignoring British copyright law, Tauchnitz was a driving force behind international agreements on international copyright protection. The goodwill he gained from British authors enabled him to be the principal continental publisher of English language works. He was often sent early proofs, and so was able to first publish at the same time or very soon after the British publisher.

A wonderful and very scarce early edition of this Bronte novel.