I'm excited to offer a rare opportunity to purchase this beautiful early to mid Victorian edition of Villette , written under Charlotte Bronte's Pseudonym Currer Bell. Early editions of novels by The Bronte sisters are quite hard to come across now so I'm excited to be able to offer this beautiful edition in my shop. To put the date of the book in perspective, this book was published just two years after Charlotte's death.
This beautiful antique edition of Villette by Currer Bell was published by Smith, Elder and Co is 1857. The book is bound in half calf leather with marbled paper boards and four raised bands to the spine. The raised bands feature delicate gilt detail and there is a leather title label to the spine.
The book is in good condition considering it's over 167 years old, but there are general signs of wear and use. There is light wear to the corners and rubbing to the board edges. The boards show some rubbing and scratching, and the front board has had a piece of the marbled paper glued back down (it's just slightly raised and you can see the edges where it was torn). The spine is sunned and scuffed, with some minor loss to the surface of the leather. The head of the spine has some damage but has been glued down to prevent it worsening.
Inside, there is a pencilled number and scribble to the front pastedown and crack to the gutter after the front free endpaper and before the back free endpaper. The back free endpaper is torn. The pages show age toning and foxing throughout, with other more occasional marks and stains. The text remains clear and bright.
Dimensions approximately 17.5cm x 11.2cm x 3cm.
The book will arrive hand wrapped in biodegradable bubble wrap, patterned wallpaper and ribbon.
I use a range of eco friendly, 100% recyclable jiffy bags and boxes, and whenever possible I use brown paper tape. The green bubble wrap is oxo-degradable and the clear bubble wrap is 100% recyclable. I also reuse boxes when I feel it's appropriate (if the boxes are sturdy enough).