Books

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus. London: George Routledge and Sons, 1891. 12mo. Rebound in 1/.4 black leather and green marbled boards, with raised bands, gilt stamps, and gilt titles to spine. New marbled endpapers. New matching archival slipcase. Presented is a later Victorian edition of Mary Shelley s masterpiece of horror, Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus. This printing was published in London by George Routledge and Sons, in 1891. It is presented here rebound in a striking 1/4 black leather and green marbled boards, with raised bands and gilt stamps and tiles to the spine, new marbled endpages, and a matching green archival slipcase. Mary Shelley was just nineteen when she wrote her classic novel. The circumstances of its composition are by now well known. In 1816, Mary was in Switzerland with Percy Shelley, Byron, and Byron s physician John Polidori when the evening s discussion turned to one of Shelley s favorite topics, the supernatural. Byron proposed that all members of the party write a romance or tale on the subject. The resulting efforts were Polidori s The Vampyre, Byron s unfinished narrative about a vampire, and Mary Shelley s Frankenstein. The first edition of Frankenstein was published anonymously in London, 1818, and is exceedingly rare. An 1831 edition was published in London, for which Shelley wrote an introduction describing the circumstances surrounding the creation of the work. The first American edition was published in 1833. Frankenstein has been named the most famous English horror novel� a defining model of the Gothic mode of fiction, and� the first genuine science fiction novel, the first significant rendering of the relations between mankind and science through an image of mankind s dual nature appropriate to an age of science (Clute and Nicholls, Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, 1099). CONDITION: Excellent condition. 12mo. Rebound in � black leather and green marbled boards, with raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt stamps to the spine. New marbled endpapers. Top edge gilt, other edges uncut. Interior pages are generally very healthy, with only light scattered staining and toning. 1 pp. publisher s ads at end. Presented with a new matching archival green slipcase, with an inlaid portrait of Mary Shelley on the front. Book Dimensions: 6" H x 4 1/4" W x 1" D. Slipcase Dimensions: 6 1/2" H x 4 1/2" W x 1 1/4" D.

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.