Books

FIRST PRINTING OF THE THIRD AND FIRST ILLUSTRATED EDITION. 1 vol., 6-9/16" x 4-3/8", with the engraved frontis and additional engraved title-page, and a new introduction by Mary Shelley, bound with the scarcer "Edgar Huntly" as issued. Bound in contemporary 1/2 dark brown calf, gilt decorated spine, gilt lettered maroon morocco spine label, plain pastedowns, endpapers, bookplate to front pastedown, half of spine label chipped with loss, hinges rubbed but firm, head and foot of spine rubbed with minor loss, some offsetting to frontis and additional engraved title-page otherwise internally clean and bright, a VERY GOOD copy in a contemporary binding. All first three printings of "Frankenstein" are scarce. The first printing of the third edition (and the first 1 volume edition) contains the first ever attempt to illustrate the Monster. In her introduction, Shelley contextualizes the creation of her tale: "It proved a wet, ungenial summer, and incessant rain often confined us for days to the house. Some volumes of ghost stories, translated from the German into French, fell into our hands? 'We will each write a ghost story,' said Lord Byron; and his proposition was acceded to". "And now, once again, I bid my hideous progeny go forth and prosper".

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.