Books

Half title, 2pp ads over 2 sheets. Ads on e.ps. Orig. green pictorial boards, printed in brown; rebacked retaining the middle section of the original spine, boards slightly rubbed. 19th-century signature of Richard Yeldham on half title. Bookseller's ticket of S. Barker & Son, Hammersmith, on leading pastedown. A good-plus copy. Sadleir 3755a 144. Four copies only on Copac; OCLC adds six copies in the U.S. The BL copy is dated [1856]; the back cover advertises a copy, 'lately published', of Captain Trelawney's Younger Son, also published by Hodgson in 1856. Frankenstein was first published in three volumes in 1818, two volumes in 1823, and one volume in 1831. The Parlour Library Series was started in Belfast by Simms and McIntyre in 1847; Thomas Hodgson was the London agent from the beginning, but he bought out the original proprietors in 1853. The series continued (with various owners) until 1863. In the catalogue of their 1947 exhibition 'Victorian Fiction', John Carter and Michael Sadleir describe the Parlour Library as 'revolutionary', both for publishing works by new authors and first translations, along with popular reprints, and for its very low prices. Carter and Sadleir claim that the 'Parlour Library put shilling novels on the map, and its decorated board covers [.] paved the technical way to the shortly omnipresent 'yellow-back'. (Cambridge University Press, 1947, p.13.).

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.