[Brontë, Charlotte.]

8vo (193 x 126mm.), 2 volumes, first edition, Ellen Nussey's copy, 8pp.advertisements for the "Uniform Edition of the Works of Currer Bell" and 16 page publisher's catalogue dated June 1857 at the end of volume 1, advertisements leaf at the end of volume 2, late nineteenth-century polished red calf gilt by Zaehnsdorf, original brown cloth spines bound in, spines in six compartments with morocco labels, top edges gilt, inner dentelles, red coated endpapers, spines sunned and with some slight wear, some minor soiling and spotting to text

the author's close friend Ellen Nussey, probably acquired near the time of publication; given by Ellen in May 1889 to Sir George John Armytage, 6th baronet of Kirklees (Armytage bookplate and additional printed leaf, c.1889, with full provenance, signed by Ellen Nussey, bound in at the front of each volume); thence by descent

Smith 7

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Professor, the author's first written novel, was published on 6 June 1857, two years after the author's death (either from tuberculosis or severe vomiting in pregnancy) on 31 March 1855. It had been completed in June 1846, and had been circulated, with her sisters' Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey, to six different publishers at the time. Unlike The Professor, the other two novels were accepted for publication.