The Life of Charlotte Bronte Hardcover - 1857

New York: D. Appleton, 1857. First American edition . Hardcover. VG-. 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall. 1st American edition, 12mo, blind-stamped patterned boards with gilt lettering on spine, blue paper endpapers, 2 vols. [285, 269 pages], publisher ads in vol. I are 2 pages [should be 6, but nothing is missing - misbound], vol. II has 6 pages of ads, vol. I has frontispiece engraving of Charlotte Bronte, by G. [ George ] Richmond, engraved by J. C. [ James Charles] Armytage; vol. II has engraving of Haworth Church and Parsonage, by E. C. Gaskell, engraved by J. C. Armytage; tissue guards intact (small tear to vol. I); "Books by the Author of "The Heir of Redclyffe" [ i.e. Charlotte M. Yonge ] listing 9 of her novels is tipped in at front endpaper. Condition: VERY GOOD- : small chips and tears to spine extremities and corners are rubbed open, 2 small holes to spine gutter of vol. I, spines are sunned to a golden brown, sm. stain to spine of vol. II, owner inscription on pencil on fep of both volumes, stain to vol. II title page, otherwise the books are very clean with only a very few scattered foxing stains. A nice set of this important first biography of Bronte, requested by Charlotte Bronte's father. Gaskell of course is a brilliant novelist in her own right, but this book on Bronte caused quite a stir at its publication with her portrayals of Bronte friends and family. It is a must-have / must-read for any Gaskell or Bronte follower / collector.