Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Random House, The Modern Library, New York, 1950 edition with rare, 2024 vibrant dust jacket.
My story...
I am a splendid, 1950 edition of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte published for The Modern Library by Random House, New York.
I come complete with a wonderfully, vibrant dust jacket in a highly respectable condition. I am dated at my front.
Practicalities:
-I am a medium sized book measuring H 18cm by W 12cm approx.
-I weigh 376g.
Condition summary:
My general condition is very good plus with only minor wear. For more specific condition points see below.
Why buy me?
You will of course have been attracted to my resplendent dust jacket in its vibrant shades of 1950s yellow and dusty blue! It really is a highly respectable example, with no significant wear. It has the most marvellous pictorial cover of Jane Eyre looking at Rochester most incredulously and calmly. You can see then 2024 and there she is not a women who compromises!
What you might not see in the photos is that the rear of my jacket is completely covered by an alphabetical list of 380 titles which were also available at the time from the Modern Library.
My cloth hardcovers hidden underneath are a splendid cocktail of classic and contemporary in their aesthetic! I have stunning, cedar-green cloth covers set off by a dramatic, decorated front cover. My title and author's name is boldly placed on black in gold gilt font. This is framed in blind stamped gold gilt, with the modern library's emblem, the Olympic athlete proudly running with the torch ablaze in the bottom corner of the frame. This is repeated in a similar fashion on my spine and does look, if you don't mind me saying so, magnificent!
Open me up to find decorated endpapers, again using the runner centrally with a contemporary repetition of the modern library's initials and a book - a fabulous graphic design in ivory and grey.
There was a modern name plate stuck on the paste down which has been carefully removed leaving little trace - see photo 5.
I have an introduction by William Peden, a bibliography, a preface to the second edition and note to the third edition by Currer Bell.
My page edges are grey on top to match my endpapers and in an immaculate condition. My book block sides are also just gently age toned.
My pages, in a highly respectable condition feel so lovely to touch! They are smooth with just the right weight.
There are only two black and white illustrations: one at the head of my first chapter and the other much smaller one at my preface head. Another artistic quirk is that occasionally the first word of some chapters are written in a lovely 3D font.
My binding is as strong as ever!
As I am around around 72 years old I will have some signs of age and use:
Hardcovers: Coloured cloth still bright and clean with no significant marking. Spine top and bottom rolled and mildly worn; book corners gentle rolled and gently worn on their tips.
Page edges: the long side and bottom edges are gently age toned; all edges are ever so lightly scratched and rubbed - in very good condition generally.
Endpapers: very light age toning of the white areas; some ever so gentle rubbing in places (barely noticeable due to pattern); some teeny nicks from the grey edge each end; where the name plate has been removed from the paste down endpaper at the front, the paper or pattern has barely been disturbed - the residue of the glue - it's not at all sticky (all stickiness has been magically removed) - now makes the paper around the area of removal look slightly age toned. In certain lights you might see a rectangular sheen (not significant).
Title pages: an extremely mild crease on the first three book pages - it's actually more noticeable in the photos than real life due to the strong lighting used to photograph the book).
Reading pages: very good plus. They are just gently age toned around their edges - if you find any other marks they will be slight and rare.
Binding: Strong.
Dust jacket: see photo - note mild wear to spine ends and hinge fold ends; some rubbing on the spine; a tiny closed tear to the rear of the jacket just above the olympic runner; some age toning and slight grubbiness to the white areas. The rear has a small, dark, faint smudge to which does not affect the reading of the advert. It is now housed in an archival cover which can be removed without damage.
A note from my seller:
A splendid edition: beautiful and classically vintage with a contemporary twist! The cloth hardcover is a lovely, soothing green and the dust jacket highly respectable and rare!
I removed the book name sticker after much thought and copious research and practice. I'm very pleased with the results! I understand ‘ownership' is part of a book's history but, some name stickers you can live with - some without!
I can send more photos on request.
I will be sent Royal Mail special delivery in the UK and Royal Mail International, tracked worldwide. Please message me for worldwide postage costs if not displayed.
I will be packed in recycled, biodegrable packaging where possible.