LITERATURE 16 Rare Second Edition Of Jane Eyre, “The Most Famous Second Edition In The Chronicle Of Victorian Bibliography,” With The First Appearance Of Bronte’s Famous Dedication To Thackeray Important second edition of Jane Eyre (printed only three months after the first edition), containing the first appearance of Bronte’s famous dedication to Thackeray, which contributed greatly to the success of Thackeray’s Vanity Fair. When Charlotte Bronte, after having earlier manuscripts rejected by publishers, submitted Jane Eyre to Smith & Elder in 1847 under the pseudonym “Currer Bell,” the firm “recognised its great power. It was immediately accepted and published in [October] 1847. Jane Eyre achieved at once a surprising success” (DNB). “In January, 1848, a second edition of Jane Eyre appeared— the most famous second edition in the chronicle of Victorian bibliography, and a collector’s item in its own right. For this second edition contained the dedication to Thackeray which proved an ‘effectual support’ to Vanity Fair” (Winterich, 62). This dedication to Thackeray was scandalous, as he had a wife who was certified insane, and some felt the novel to have been inspired by his situation. Volume III with expert cleaning to text, a very good copy. 15[BRONTE, Charlotte] BELL, Currer. Jane Eyre: An Autobiography. London, 1848. Three volumes. Octavo, recent full crushed brown morocco gilt; original cloth bound in. $12,500 “It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.”
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