Undiscovered Charlotte Bronte Manuscript Set For Auction

A rare and previously undiscovered manuscript by the celebrated 19th century writer Charlotte Bronte will appear at auction next month. The tiny 19-page manuscript was written by the author in 1830 at the age of just 14, and takes the form of a fake periodical entitled 'The Young Men's Magazine, Number 2'.

The most notable inclusion in the 4,000-word magazine is a short story featuring elements which would later appear in her most famous work 'Jayne Eyre'. It tells the story of a man who witnesses a murder, and features a scene in which he imagines setting fire to his bed curtains along with a vivid description of a dark attic. These elements both feature in Jayne Eyre, as the insane wife of Mr Rochester spends her time locked in an attic before setting fire to his bed curtains.

The manuscript has spent years in a private collection, although its significance was not suspected until recently. It is the missing volume from a series of six fake periodicals created by the young Bronte, and has been described by experts as "extraordinary".

It will appear in the Sotheby's sale of English Literature, History, Private Press, Children's Books & Illustrations at their London saleroom on December 15 with an estimated value of up to £300,000.

See also

Main article: Manuscripts
Main article: Books
Main article: Sotheby's