[Rarebooks] FS: First American Edition of WUTHERING HEIGHTS in the Original Wraps

[Charles Agvent]

One of 50 items in our new catalog.  See them all here: 
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BRONTE, Emily. WUTHERING HEIGHTS. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1848. 
First American Edition. Two octavo (5-1/4" x 7-11/16") volumes in the 
original printed wrappers. First published in England in December 1847, 
this American edition was published in April 1848 simultaneously in 
wrappers (two volumes at 25 cents each) and in cloth (one volume at 75 
cents), with copies in cloth much more common than those in wrappers. It 
was this American edition which led to the "unmasking" of the Brontes. 
The author is wrongly identified on the covers and the title page as 
being that of "JANE EYRE," which was also first published in 1847 but 
was of course by Emily's sister, Charlotte. Harper & Brothers, acting on 
the assumption of Thomas Newby, the Bronte's British publisher, that the 
sisters (writing under the pseudonyms of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell) 
were, in fact, one person, saw nothing untoward in attributing WUTHERING 
HEIGHTS to the "author of JANE EYRE." It was to clear up this 
misunderstanding that the Brontes made their dramatic 1848 visit to 
their British publishers to reveal their true identity. Spine and rear 
cover of the first part in expert facsimile. The second part with expert 
repairs to the spine and rear cover. Some soiling and foxing to covers 
and contents. Generally Very Good and exceptionally scarce in the wrappers.

The various film adaptations of the novel include the classic 1939 
version directed by William Wyler and starring Laurence Olivier as 
Heathcliff and Merle Oberon as Cathy. It was voted best film of the year 
by the New York Film Critics in preference to the Oscar-garlanded GONE 
WITH THE WIND. The English Edition of the previous year will set you 
back an easy 6 figures. (#016971) $12,500.00

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/016971.jpg

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