A rare first edition copy of Jane Eyre is expected to fetch up to £27,000 at auction.

The book -- in three volumes -- was coming under the hammer at Sotheby's, in New York, today.

The edition (pictured) of Charlotte Bront's classic is included in a sale of fine books and manuscripts, and has been described by the auction house as "a fine and unusual set in remarkable condition".

There is a presentation inscription from an Olive Nixon (1850) in each volume.

The book forms part of the estate of the late Paul Peralta-Ramos, heir to an American oil fortune.

Sotheby's expert Peter Selley told the Keighley News: "Very few copies in their original green cloth survive, so the estimate for the copy coming up for sale in New York is conservative."

Previous sales of Jane Eyre first editions have commanded impressive prices. A copy realised over £30,000 when it was auctioned at Sotheby's, in London, in December 2000.

Ann Dinsdale, librarian at the Bront Parsonage Museum, in Haworth, said first editions of some novels by the famous literary sisters could fetch huge amounts.

She added: "Jane Eyre first editions are quite rare, but Wuthering Heights copies are even rarer -- so few have survived they could be priceless."

In the BBC's Big Read campaign to find the nation's favourite book, Jane Eyre -- published in 1847 -- was placed in the top 20.