Books

"Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus (bound with The Ghost-Seer! From the German of Schiller. In two volumes. vol. I), 2 parts in 1 volume". London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1831 first illustrated Frankenstein edition (third edition overall). pp. [2], [v] vi-xii, 202; [4] 3-163, [1], series-title (with 'Standard Novels. No IX') to front discarded, engraved frontispiece and engraved additional title-page to first part (Shelley, both partly hand-coloured, browned, spotted and dampstained to lower outer corner), separate title-page to each part, half-title to second part (Schiller), advertisements discarded, occasional minor spots, hinges cracked, contemporary black half calf with gilt decorated raised bands, light brown morocco title label to spine, marbled sides, light wear mostly to head & foot of spine, 8vo (16.1 x 10.2 cm) Sadleir 3734a.9; Wolff 6280a. First Bentley edition of Frankenstein, extensively revised by the author, the third edition overall. Published as the ninth volume in Bentley's Standard Novels series (the volume also containing the first part only of Schiller's The Ghost-Seer), it was also the first illustrated edition, and the first in one volume. Frankenstein was first published in 1818, the second edition appearing in 1823. Frankenstein is one of the rarest and most desirable books to collect.

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.