Books

Second edition of Mary Shelley's horror masterpiece, and the first to bear the author's name and include her preface in which she briefly mentions the well-documented occasion on which she and her friends "amused ourselves with some German stories of ghosts, which happened to fall into our hands. These tales excited in us a playful desire of imitation." Volume I bound to match Volume II, which is in early boards rebacked with new matching paper spines and title labels. A few marginal tears, light foxing, toning, occasional light damp staining and some pencil marginalia. Volume I lacks a final blank; edges rubbed on Volume II. The incredibly scarce second edition of one of the most famous works in English literature; the first was published in 1818. Shelley penned this Gothic sci-fi blockbuster at the tender age of 19 after a literary gathering at Lord Byron's rented vacation manor Villa Diodati near Geneva. Often called the first of its kind, the ever poignant and thought-provoking Frankenstein paved the way for science fiction writing. With its themes of loneliness and terror amid human technology gone awry, it continues to resonate deeply within popular culture.

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.