Organising and shelving the PPL’s unique Classic Fiction Collection has revealed several rare and fascinating novels by authors whose names may not be familiar to everyone today, but whose contribution to the great canon of English fiction over the last 250 years cannot be underestimated. One discovery, however, relates to a Victorian author whose name is known the world over – Charlotte Brontë, author of Jane Eyre.
Charlotte Brontë revolutionized prose fiction by being the first to concentrate on the protagonist’s psychological and moral development from youth to adulthood. Her use of the first person narrative, where actions and events are influenced by her heroine’s psychological, moral and emotional intensity, were something new. Jane Eyre was published on 16 October 1847 – but not under Brontë’s real name; she knew that it would not have been published at all if it was known that the novel was by a woman. Brontë’s publishers believed it to have been written by a man, Currer Bell. The novel became a best-seller – in spite of being castigated as ‘improper’, ‘coarse’ and ‘scandalous’. It was to be ten years before the book was published under its author’s real name.
And this is what has been found among the PPL’s historic treasures! A three-volume set of Jane Eyre, third edition, printed in April 1848; leather-bound, with gold tooling, and the name Currer Bell. A rare literary find indeed, and a wonderful addition to our collections. Sadly, however, the books cannot be handled as they are in poor condition and will need some professional conservation before being put on display.
