Books

Modern illustrated edition of Mary Shelley s iconic sci-fi horror story, first published in 1818, accompanied by ten original watercolors used in the book. Shelley s Gothic masterpiece of scientific experimentation gone awry was the declared winner of a famous ghost story challenge proposed by Lord Byron in 1816, a competition in which she bested Byron, John Polidori, and her future husband Percy Bysshe Shelley. This 1976 illustrated Frankenstein by American painter Robert Andrew Parker evokes "the nightmare that was its genesis." The unsettling original watercolors included here are reproduced on the following pages: 11, 16 (two images), 17, 20, 22, 48, 51, 103, and 145. In addition to Frankenstein, Parker illustrated dozens of books over his long career, receiving a Caldecott Honor for Pop Corn and Ma Goodness (1970); his work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, and the Morgan Library. A near-fine copy, with a trove of original artwork by Parker. Single volume, measuring 11 x 8.5 inches: x, 150. Original color pictorial wrappers, color and black-and-white illustrations throughout text. Lightest shelfwear. With: ten original pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations, nine of them signed by Parker, with printer s notes to versos and tape stubs to margins.

Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" stands as a cornerstone of gothic literature and a prized artifact in the rare book market. Published in 1818, the novel's lasting influence on literature, culture, and science fiction has made it highly sought after by collectors. This article explores the literary importance of "Frankenstein," its historical context, and the factors contributing to its rarity and value. "Frankenstein" is often regarded as one of the first science fiction novels. Its themes of unchecked ambition, the quest for knowledge, and the consequences of playing God have captivated readers for over two centuries. Shelley's exploration of complex ethical and philosophical questions has made the novel a subject of academic study and a timeless piece of literature. The story's impact on popular culture is profound, with numerous adaptations in film, theatre, and other media. The novel was conceived during the summer of 1816, known as the "Year Without a Summer," at the Villa Diodati near Lake Geneva. It emerged from a storytelling contest among Mary Shelley, her future husband Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, and John Polidori. The first edition of "Frankenstein" was published anonymously in 1818 by the small London publishing house Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones. Only 500 copies were printed, and Mary Shelley's name did not appear as the author until the 1823 edition. The rarity of "Frankenstein" in the rare book market is mainly due to the scarcity of its first edition. With only 500 copies initially printed and the book's age, surviving copies are extremely rare. The fragile nature of early 19th-century books, combined with historical events such as wars and natural disasters, has further reduced the number of existing copies. The market value of a first edition of "Frankenstein" can reach staggering amounts. In recent years, well-preserved copies have been auctioned for hundreds of thousands of dollars. For instance, a first edition copy sold at a Christie's auction in 2021 for $1.17 million.