1881 Scarce American Book Exchange Edition - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Author: Charlotte Brontë (published under the pseudonym Currer Bell).
Title: Jane Eyre.
Publisher: New York, American Book Exchange, 764 Broadway, 1881.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 6.5" x 5".
Pages: vii-379 + publisher's catalogue
Binding: Attractive and very good publisher’s decorative green cloth binding, with an elaborate black-stamped architectural design on the front cover and floral motifs framing the title. Gilt spine lettering (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare find in any condition!
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown). A sound and pleasing copy of this 19th-century American edition.

Estimate: (USD 400 – 500).

The Book This scarce 1881 edition of Jane Eyre was issued by the American Book Exchange in New York, an important publisher dedicated to making classics more accessible during the late 19th century. Brontë’s landmark novel—combining elements of Gothic romance, social criticism, and proto-feminist thought—remains one of the most enduring works in English literature. The narrative of Jane’s moral and emotional development, from a mistreated orphan to an independent woman finding her voice and destiny, continues to resonate with readers around the world.

The Author: Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855), the eldest of the famous Brontë sisters, published Jane Eyre in 1847 under the pseudonym Currer Bell. The novel was a sensation, praised for its originality and emotional depth. Brontë’s works, including Shirley and Villette, explore themes of female independence, morality, and social constraint, leaving an indelible mark on Victorian literature and beyond.