The Brontës and Their Stars

London: Rider & Company, 1928. First and only edition of British astrologer Maud Margesson’s ambitious reading of the Brontës and their immediate circle. Though a series of horoscope charts, Margesson traces the impact of “planetary vibrations” on Patrick Brontë and his children Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and Branwell, as well as Charlotte’s husband Arthur Bell Nicholls; lifelong friend (and possible lover) Ellen Nussey; and teachers Constantin and Claire Heger, who inspired her 1853 novel Villette. For Margesson, the Brontës’ extraordinary literary achievements are written in the stars: “Should we be asked: Where in [Emily’s] nativity do we see the power that produced Wuthering Heights, we could only answer, everywhere. . . . Uranus rising square Mars in Virgo creates a turbulent mind, endowed with an almost terrific force, which gains in intensity by operating through a narrow Saturnine 3rd House. . . . Emily had Scorpio rising, a sign that is passionate and intense as well as secretive and suppressed.” A very good copy of an intriguing if dubious work of literary biography, scarce in jacket. Single volume, measuring 8.5 x 5.5 inches: viii, 280. Original brown cloth ruled in blind, spine ruled and lettered in gilt, original unclipped dust jacket printed in black with gold star design, with price of 12/6 on spine panel. Illustrated with astrological charts throughout text. Scattered foxing, heavier to endpapers and edges; shallow chipping and spotting to jacket, tape repairs to verso. (Inventory #: 1004007)