Books

First facsimile edition, this one of only three copies printed on vellum and signed by the printers Richard Clay & Sons, this from the library of the edition's publisher and editor H. Buxton-Forman, President of the Shelley Society, with his illustrated bookplate. Epipsychidion (the title means "to/for a little soul/Psyche") was Shelley's intense lyrical love poem addressed to the "poor captive bird" Teresa "Emilia" Viviani, a beautiful Italian countess of 19 years who was "imprisoned" in St Anna convent while her father sought her a suitable husband. The poem includes his notorious couplet in defence of free love: "True love in this differs from gold or clay / that to divide is not to take away". Octavo. Original blue boards, printed paper label to spine. Very light wear at head of spine. A near-fine copy. Granniss, 62; Wise, p. 59.

Epipsychidion is a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, published in 1821. It was inspired by Shelley's platonic infatuation with the young woman Emilia Viviani, whom he met during his stay in Pisa. Epipsychidion is often regarded as a spiritual autobiography of the poet, reflecting Shelley's philosophical views and his intense emotional states.