First edition, second issue (as usual), of the first published work by the Bronte sisters. Written under pseudonyms to avoid any prejudice that may be directed against female writers, the collection of verses contains 19 poems by Charlotte Bronte ("Currer Bell"), and 21 each by Emily ("Ellis") and Anne ("Acton"). First published by Aylott Jones in 1846 in an edition of 1000 copies, Poems was a commercial failure, with only 39 copies of the 1000 printed sold. The remaining 961 copies were placed in storage and, following the success of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, were reissued in October, 1848 by Smith, Elder, and Co. with a cancel title page. With original Westleys and Co. binder’s ticket; without errata slip and inserted catalogues (absent in most copies). Interior clean, minor soiling to cloth and fraying to top of spine; gilt extraordinarily bright. Provenance: The Bemis copy. From the library of Frank Brewer Bemis, one of the most celebrated book collectors of the early twentieth century, with his bookplate.