Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Signed (35 results)

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good ++. Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket ( as Issued ). 5th or later Edition. Adapted by Philip Pullman. A SIGNED Paperback Original. A UK reprint- uncommon SIGNED. A clean, bright copy, unfaded and without creases. Tight binding, clean text block. Trivial bruising to leading edge corners and light bruising to the leading edges of two pages. No ownership inscriptions. This copy has been SIGNED to the title page by Philip Pullman. An unusual item. Paypal accepted. Signed by Author(s).

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. [Shelley, Mary] Eldridge, Robert. [Frankenstein] Mary and Her Monster; or, The Pride of Frankenstein. A Play by Robert Eldridge. Elizabethtown, New York: Gloomhaven Press, 2014. First edition, one of three signed out-of-series extra copies, of which 3 are currently left. The regular issue (30 numbered and signed copies) is gone. Octavo booklet, pp. [1-2] 3-10 [11-12]. Original paper self-wrappers, saddle-stapled. Illustrated on rear cover by black & white photograph of a page-pair from the first U.S. edition of Frankenstein, with an ink comment in margin: "It is all a damned lie." A fine copy. #979. $45. This off-beat tragi-comedy was first published in the Souvenir Book for Readercon 25, whose Memorial Guest of Honor was Mary Shelley. Signed by Author(s).

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Mary Cserepy (dust jacket illustration) (illustrator). 1st Edition. A play inspired by Mary Shelley's classic story, and first performed (to much acclaim) on July 17, 1974, at The Playhouse in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The text of Shelley's novel, edited and abridged by the playwrights, follows the play. Walter Learning has signed this copy on the dedication page. Charcoal cloth w/gilt spine lettering, 181 pages, illustrated w/three photographs of action from the play. A hint of wear to corners/spine ends, in like dust jacket w/some rubbing and light edgewear. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Signed by co-author. Book.

Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. Grimly, Gris (illustrator). First Edition; First Printing. First edition stated, full number line. Inscribed by Grimly to the half-title page. As new condition in like DJ. ; 10.5 X 7.1 X 0.8 inches; Signed by Author.

Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. Barry Moser (illustrator). 1st Edition. University of California Press, 1984. SIGNED on the title page by Barry Moser. First printing after the deluxe edition. In fine condition with fine DJ. Signed by Illustrator(s).

Hardcover. Condition: As New. Barrett, Angela (illustrator). Limited Edition. Limited to only 750 hand-numbered copies, this being #66. As new in original Folio packaging. Sold out at publisher. Signed by the artist, Angela Barrett, this stunning Folio Society edition of Frankenstein is a fitting tribute to a gothic masterpiece and quickly sold out at The Folio Society. Limitation label signed by Angela Barrett. Bound in ice-blue leather blocked in silver and black foils with a striking design by Angela Barrett. Lavishly illustrated by Barrett with eight ominously unsettling colour plates, two elaborate hand-drawn borders, nine intricate black-and-white vignettes, and a pair of striking designs on the ice-blue leather binding and black cloth-covered slipcase. All edges silvered. Ribbon marker. 10'' x 6¾''. 232 pages. Printed on Abbey Pure Rough paper with colour plates on Arctic Volume Ivory paper. Printed and bound in Germany. This edition uses the authoritative 1831 text of Mary Shelley's darkly disturbing tale and is newly introduced by Richard Holmes. This is copy no. 66 of 750. As new. The book will be posted in the original Folio packaging with added protection. Additional photos available on request or these may be viewed on my eBay listing. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. Heavy/oversize. U.K. postage at default rate but international buyers will be asked for a little extra. Enquiries welcome. All orders professionally packed, tracked and/or signed for, and fully insured. Signed by Artist(s).

Condition: Very Good. ** Number 46 from a Signed Limited Edition of 300 Copies, Signed by Patrick McGrath **; Very Good; Hardcover; Light wear to the covers with minor edgewear; Unblemished textblock edges; The endpapers and all text pages are clean and unmarked; The binding is excellent with a straight spine; This book will be shipped in a sturdy cardboard box with foam padding; Medium Format (8.5" - 9.75" tall); 2.0 lbs; Black cloth covers with illustrated plate to the center of the front cover and title in gold lettering along the spine; 2007, Millipede Press; 350 pages; "Frankenstein: or The Modern Prometheus," by Mary Shelley.

Fine Binding. Condition: As New. Adamovi?, Yana (illustrator). Limited Edition. Spectacular limited edition of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'. Published by the Croatian fine press, Amaranthine Books, in a limitation of only 300 copies, this being #109. Signed by Marko Matijasevic (creative concept) and Yana Adamovi? (illustrations). Removed from publisher's shrink wrap but o/w as new and will be sent in publisher's protective packaging. This copy comes with the 'swag' that was only available with books purchased directly from Amaranthine: print, sticker and notebook (sealed in publisher's shrink wrap). The Doctor Edition of 'Frankenstein' attempts to incorporate the spirit of Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his (mis)deeds. It is quarter-bound in finest black goatskin leather and aluminium. The use of aluminium was inspired by an operating table and therefore a real surgeon's needle was blocked onto the front cover. The spine is blocked in silver, while the detailing on aluminium is engraved with laser. There are eight illustrations inside (two spreads) that are sensitive to heat, so they transform upon touch, which means each illustration has two phases. There are illustrated drop caps for every chapter, handmade cellular pattern marbled endpapers by Freya Scott, silver page edges, and several hidden design details. Printed offset on Fedrigoni Savile Row 100g paper. Smyth sewn with black thread. The book comes in a solander box lined with purple velvet which was inspired by a doctor's tool bag from that era. The box also houses a bookmark in the shape of a doctor's scalpel. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. This is a truly unique and extremely tactile version of 'Frankenstein' which was limited to only 300 signed and numbered copies, sold out quickly at the publisher, and is scarce on the secondary market. A must have for collectors. Additional images available on request or these may be viewed on my eBay listing. Heavy/oversize book. U.K. postage at default charge but overseas buyers may be asked for extra. All orders professionally packed, tracked and/or signed-for, and insured. Signed by Artist(s).

Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. Stephen King(Introduction) Bernie Wrightson(Illustrator) (illustrator). First Edition. Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus by M. W. Shelley (Limited Edition) Signed A fine bright sharp copy, in an also fine slipcase with very mild shelfwear. The original glassine wrapper is tanned, and torn at top edge of spine and back cover, with a tiny chip at front cover edge. Clear protective dust jacket cover. First thus. Limited Edition. This is copy #484. One of 500 copies signed by Stephen King and Bernie Wrightson. Publisher's black cloth with decorative gilt and blue lettering to cover and spine. Dark blue endpapers. 192pp. Glassine jacket and blue paper-covered board slipcase. Berni Wrightson(illustrator). Stephen King introduction. Signed by KING and WRIGHTSON. No. 484 of 500 copies of this edition. BOOK.

Hardcover. Condition: Fine. No Jacket. Angela Barrett (illustrator). 1st Edition (Thus). Please email for Photographs or further information. Fine - Bound in leather blocked in silver and black foils with a design by Angela Barrett. Set in Clifford with Operetta as display. Printed on Abbey Pure Rough paper. Frontispiece and seven colour plates printed on Arctic Volume Ivory paper. Nine black-and-white vignettes. Limitation label signed by Angela Barrett. Silvered on all three page-edges. Ribbon marker. Cloth-covered slipcase blocked in silver foil with a design by Angela Barrett. 10? x 6¾? Please see photos as part of condition report 2022 1st Edition (Thus) , FRANKENSTEIN or The Modern Prometheus By Mary Shelley Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (née Godwin; 30 August 1797 ? 1 February 1851) was an English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818), which is considered an early example of science fiction and one of her best-known works. Illustrated By: Angela Barrett Angela Barrett (born 1955) is a British artist and illustrator. Format: Hardcover, Language: English Dust Jacket: No Jacket, Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket Published By: Folio Society, London Super octavo (8vo 7 × 11 178 × 279),Pages 232 ISBN: SKU: BTETM0002014 Approximate Package Dimensions H: 12.5, L: 30, W: 25 (Units: cm), W: 2Kg. Signed by Illustrator(s).

Large octavo, illustrations by Berni Wrightson, cloth. First printing of this edition. One of 500 numbered copies signed by King, who wrote the four-page introduction, and artist Berni Wrightson. This is copy number 490. Anatomy of Wonder (1976) 1-47; (1981) 1-150; (1987) 1-84; (1995) 1-84; and (2004) II-997. In 333. A fine copy in unprinted tissue dust jacket and paper slipcase. The shipping carton accompanies the book. (#162275).

Hardcover. Condition: Good. First Edition. First printing of this special Limited Edition. One of 500 numbered copies signed by Stephen King, who wrote the four-page introduction, and artist Berni Wrightson. This is number 226. Exterior covers are clean and unmarked. Foxing to text block and scattered throughout. Musty smell. Slip case is soiled, rubbed and scuffed. Scarce original glassine jacket is present with chips, creasing and toning. Pictures available upon request.

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. No Jacket. 1st Edition. [Shelley, Mary] Eldridge, Robert. [Frankenstein] Mary and Her Monster; or, The Pride of Frankenstein. A Play by Robert Eldridge. Elizabethtown, New York: Gloomhaven Press, 2014. First edition, deluxe issue. Limited to 6 numbered and signed copies, with an added short poem by Eldridge not present in the regular issue, printed on heavy cotton-rag paper, with sewn binding and extra outer wrapper. Octavo booklet, pp. [1-2] 3-10 [11-12]. Original paper self-wrappers. Illustrated on rear cover by black & white photograph of page-pair from the first U.S. edition of Frankenstein, with an ink comment in margin: "It is all a damned lie." #980. $75. This off-beat tragi-comedy was first published in the Souvenir Book for Readercon 25, whose Memorial Guest of Honor was Mary Shelley. A fine copy. Signed by Author(s).

Leather. Condition: Near Fine. Glenn Chadbourne, Alex Mcvey, Keith Minnion (illustrator). Limited Edition. 8vo. Silver lettered and decorated blue leather. Housed in clamshell box which has scraping and chipping to bottom edge. Edition limited to 200 numbered copies signed by the illustrators and Ray Garton who has written an essay. Engraving laid in to interior of box, Nice book -okay box.

The 5th book from the 5th Series, this being #70 of 1500 copies, signed by the illustrator Everett Henry. Illustrations printed in process off-set by Bartlett-Aldus. Introduction by Edmund Lester Pearson. book design by Peter Beilenson at The Walpole Printing Office. hand-set by Bertha M. goudy on Goethe type (designed by Frederic Goudy, first use in a book). Printed on Worthy special paper and bound by George McKibbin & son in half red morocco with frabric sides. 280pages. Very good copy with wear to leather as normally seen for this edition. Small bookplate on front end-paper, otherwise in fine condition. Kept in what seems a later slipcase. Print info from 1985 Bibliography and Snyman - Grossman LEC Checklist #53.

Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Illustrated Edition. This limited edition is illustrated and signed by Everett Henry and is #582/1500. The boards have a multi-colored vertical striping with gold printing and title on the spine. Pages are deckled at side and bottom and gold at the top. The jacket is scuffed at the edges, but completely intact. Signed by Illustrator(s).

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Limited Edition. SIGNED. 257pp. Quarto [27 cm] 1/4 maroon leather with beige, orange, yellow, green, and black vertical stripe-patterned cloth over boards. Top edge gilt. There is a 3/4" crack to the leather at the head of the spine, and there are two short tears to the leather at the foot of the spine, the longer tear measuring just under 1/2". From the collection of Berkeley book collector and letterpress printer John Ruyle, with his nameplate on the front pastedown. Heritage Club monthly "Sandglass" (Volume V:18) pertaining to this edition tucked. Shelley's gothic masterpiece. Number 1096 in an edition limited to 1500. Signed by the illustrator, Everett Henry, on the limitation page. American artist E. Everett Henry (1893-1961) was an advertising artist for much of his career. He is also known for his murals, and his art is on display in the permanent collection of the Whitney Museum.

Loose art plates. Berni Wrightson (illustrator). 1978 Signed Limited Edition of 2,000 restricted run published by Tyrannosaurus Press. Contained in a printed portfolio envelope that is hand signed and numbered by Berni Wrightson. This is No. 745 out of 2000. Six plates included along with the original Tyrannosaurus Press release letter. Each plate measures 11" x 15.75." Some light wear to the portfolio outer envelope with some overall foxing and flap to the envelope has some wrinkles to it. The art plates are in fantastic condition and ready for framing with faint foxing along the edges. The plates are clean and bright with very light corner wear, negligible. Accompanied by publisher issued plastic folder that shows one area of chipping. These art plates were featured in the Dodd, Mean & Company Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a 1983 published special edition that featured Wrightson as the artist and Stephen King with the introduction. This is the second Frankenstein portfolio by Berni Wrightson. The hardcover book containing this artwork was intended for a 1980/1981 publication, but wasn't published until 1983. The portfolio was released to help cover the production costs of publishing the book and all but one art plate appeared in the book save for one titled ".with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness, I pursued Nature to her hiding places.". It was available only in this second portfolio. Includes the following: i.) ".I took advantage of the moment of darkness, and cast my basket into the sea." ii.)"Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust!" iii.) "She was there, lifeless and inanimate, thrown across the bed." iv.) "It was, indeed, a filthy process in which I was engaged." v.) -"I entered the room where the corpse lay, and was led up to the coffin." vi.) And the rarer print, ".with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness, I pursued Nature to her hiding places." Due to size, additional postage needed for overseas orders.

Illustrations by Everett Henry (illustrator). #364/1500 copies. Teg. Printed with an Introduction by Edmund Lester Pearson. Spine ends rubbed, fine in near fine sliocase Saddle blanket style fabric covered boards over deep brown leather spine stamped in gilt.

Full Leather. Condition: Near Fine. Angela Barrett (illustrator). Limited Edition. Blue leather with gilt decorative front. Silver gilt edges. Colour frontis and seven additional colour plates. Housed in black cloth case with gilt decorative front. This is copy number 163 of a limited edition of 750 numbered copies. Signed by the illustrator. Near fine copy and case. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Signed by Illustrator(s). Book.

Hardcover. Condition: New. Limited Edition. VERY FINE. Sealed and brand new without any flaws. A Luxurious Signed Leather Bound Collector's Heirloom of The Monster Gothic Classic. PERSONALLY SIGNED BY THE ARTIST DOUGLAS BELL. Easton Press. Norwalk, CT. 2020 "Frankenstein" Mary Shelley. Signed Limited Artist Edition. Collector's Edition. A great unique gift for yourself or for a loved one. Beautifully illustrated and luxuriously bound in full genuine leather. One of the most famous works and a monster classic. Includes COA. Signed by the artist Douglas Bell. As New, sealed. Mary Shelley's iconic Gothic tale featuring new artwork by Douglas Bell created for this volume. The landmark Gothic Horror and Modern Science Fiction Tale. Personally signed by Douglas Bell. Signed Limited Edition of 1,200 hand-numbered copies . Certificate of Authenticity. Illustrated with specially commissioned artwork by Douglas Bell. 10 exclusive full-color illustrations. FEATURES. Includes the classic Easton Press qualities: * Premium Leather * Silk Moire Endleaves * Distinctive Cover Design * Hubbed Spine, Accented in Real 22KT Gold * Satin Ribbon Page Marker * Gilded Page Edges * Long-lasting, High Quality Acid-neutral Paper * Smyth-sewn Pages for Strength and Durability * Beautiful Illustrations Superb craftsmanship and commitment to quality. ABOUT FRANKENSTEIN. Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is a novel written by Mary Shelley about a creature produced by an unorthodox scientific experiment. Shelley started writing the story when she was eighteen, and the novel was published when she was twenty-one. The first edition was published anonymously in London in 1818. Shelley's name appears on the second edition, published in France in 1823. Shelley had travelled in the region of Geneva, where much of the story takes place, and the topics of galvanism and other similar occult ideas were themes of conversation among her companions, particularly her future husband, Percy. The storyline emerged from a dream. Mary, Percy, Lord Byron, and John Polidori decided to have a competition to see who could write the best horror story. After thinking for weeks about what her possible storyline could be, Shelley dreamt about a scientist who created life and was horrified by what he had made. She then wrote Frankenstein. ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (UK: /ˈwʊlstənkrɑːft/; née Godwin; 30 August 1797 1 February 1851) was an English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818), which is considered an early example of science fiction. She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. Her father was the political philosopher William Godwin and her mother was the philosopher and women's rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft. Mary's mother died less than a fortnight after giving birth to her. She was raised by her father, who provided her with a rich if informal education, encouraging her to adhere to his own anarchist political theories. When she was four, her father married a neighbour, Mary Jane Clairmont, with whom Mary came to have a troubled relationship. Signed by Illustrator(s).

Hardcover. Condition: As New. 1st Edition, Limited Edition. Limited Edition. Bound in blue leather and illustrated by Angela Barrett. Signed by Angela Barrett to a limitation label. Ribbon marker. All edges silvered. Housed in accompanying cloth slipcase blocked in silver foil. One of 750 copies, of which this is number 148. Signed by Illustrator(s).

Leather bound. SIGNED. 200pp. Quarto [26.5 cm] Full light ice-blue blue leather with lettering and pictorial stamping in gilt and black by the artist. Silver-stamped text block edges. Silk ribbon page-marker. In the slipcase and the publisher's box. Fine, as new condition. The most famous novel of its kind, frequently cited as the first true science fiction novel, began that stormy night in Switzerland in 1816 and first published anonymously in 1818 when its author was only 20 years old. This is a companion to the Folio Society limited edition of "Dracula." With a new introduction by Richard Holmes. With eight color plates and numerous black and white vignettes by British artist and illustrator Angela Barrett. Angela Barrett studied at Maidstone College of Art and the Royal College of Art. She has taught Illustration at Cambridge College of Technology, and Drawing at Chelsea College. Her first published illustrations, for "The King, the Cat and the Fiddle" (Holt, 1983) were exhibited at the Barbican and won her a runner's up prize in the Mother Goose Award. Since then Angela has won the W. H. Smith Illustration Award for "The Hidden House" (Candlewick, 1997) and was runner-up in the same awards for "Snow White" (Red Fox, 1993). She won a Smarties Prize for "Can It be True?" (Walker, 1990), was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal for "Beware Beware" (Walker 1995), both written by Susan Hill, and has twice been runner-up for the Kurt Maschler Award. First edition thus, first printing. Limited edition.

hardcover. Condition: fine. Introduction by Edmund Lester Pearson. Color illustrations by Everett Henry, 257pp., tall 8vo, rebound in 1/2 burgundy morocco, marbled boards, gilt-stamped raised bands. New York: Limited Editions Club, 1934. Fine. One of 1500 numbered copies signed by the artist.

unknown_binding. Condition: Very Good. Signed. Pennyroyal Press limited edition, signed by Barry Moser. 1983. Of 350, this is number 114. Fifty two wood engravings by Moser. Printed on Pulegium, an archival paper manufactured to the specifications of Pennyroyal by the Strathmore Paper Company. Binding by Harcourt Binder, Boston. Epigraph by Margaret Atwood. Burgundy cloth boards quarter bound in brown Moroccan leather with five decorative raised bands. Boards show slight shelf wear overall. Small whitish stain to front right corner. Two nicks to leather at spine. Minor corner rubbing. Gold gilt edge at top of textblock. Fore edge of textblock shows one small, light stain. Internals are bright and unmarked. Binding is tight. A remarkable edition. Contact for photos.

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Limited Edition. Near Fine+ with one scratch along page edges as shown. A heavy volume for its size. "FRANKENSTEIN : THE DOCTOR EDITION". This is number 144. Signed Artist Limited Edition. Signed by Marko Matija ; (creative concept) and Yana Adamovic. (illustrations). One of the sealed Signed & Numbered 300 copies. A Luxurious Signed Limited Artist Edition of The Monster Gothic Classic. Personally signed by Marko Matijasevic; (creative concept) and Yana Adamovic; (illustrations). Amaranthine Books 2022 "Frankenstein" Mary Shelley. Signed Limited Artist Edition. Collector's Edition. A great unique gift for yourself or for a loved one. Beautifully illustrated and luxuriously bound with full genuine leather. An amazing collectible produced with high level detail by the publisher. One of the most famous works and a monster classic. As New, sealed, without any flaws. Ultra - Rare : LIMITED TO ONLY 300 SIGNED AND NUMBERED COPIES. This is Mary Shelley s iconic Gothic tale. The landmark Gothic Horror and Modern Science Fiction Tale. The Doctor Edition of Frankenstein attempts to incorporate the spirit of dr. Victor Frankenstein and his (mis)deeds. It is quarter-bound in finest goatskin black leather and aluminium. The use of aluminium was inspired by an operating table and therefore a real surgeon s needle was blocked onto the front cover. The spine is blocked in sliver, while the detailing on aluminium is engraved with laser. There are eight illustrations inside (two spreads) that are sensitive to heat, so they transform upon touch, which means each illustrations has two phases. It comes in a solander box that was inspired by a doctor s tool bag from that era. Please note that there will some slight improvements in the final product compared to this prototype at the time of a preorder. For example, marbled papers will have a smaller cellular pattern to make it more impactful. Limited to 300 numbered and signed copies. Cased in solander box bound in a material made of 85% genuine leather fibres with metal plate on the spine. Purple velvet inside the solander box. Quarter-bound in finest black goatskin leather (sourced from Didier Lieutard in France) and aluminium. Spine blocked in silver foil. Silver page edges. Handmade cellular pattern marbled endpapers by Freya Scott. Printed offset on Fedrigoni Savile Row 100g paper. Eight full page coloured illustrations (two spreads). Each illustration screen printed by hand with thermochromic ink to give it two phases sensitive to warm touch (it is completely reversible, below you can read more on how and under what conditions this ink works). Illustrated drop caps for every chapter. Smyth sewn with black thread. Several hidden design details. Bookmark in shape of a doctor s scalpel. CONCEPT AND ART. The Doctor Edition aims to represent the ambitious doctor and elements of his profession. It is limited to 300 numbered and signed copies, and it has several features that make it quite unique. Since we wanted to create two distinct editions, they share a deep connection, just like the doctor and its creation. The covers are inspired by an operating table and that is why we used aluminium as the main feature, which is then quarter-bound in the finest black leather, and then the spine was blocked with silver foil. Most importantly a real surgeon s needle was blocked on the front cover, while other details were engraved with laser. The goal was to have covers that can proudly claim the title of The Doctor Edition. Once you open the book, you ll be met by handmade marbled endpapers done by the legendary Freya Scott. They were done in a cellular pattern so to make one additional connection with Victor s profession. When you reach the title, you will find a hidden surprise in the book s title. But the creative concept for this title is where the book truly shines. It is based upon our insight that this is a story about connection, or rather the lack thereof. The Monster is constantly trying to connect with people. Signed by Illustrator(s).

8vo., First Edition thus, with coloured frontispiece, title-vignette and 7 coloured plates; full blue leather blocked and lettered in silver and black, silver edges, blue laid endpapers, white ribbon marker, a fine copy in publisher's blocked board slip-case. EDITION LIMITED TO 750 NUMBERED COPIES SIGNED BY THE ARTIST (THIS COPY No. 41).

First edition of this illustrated edition of Mary Shelley's masterpiece and "the most famous English horror novel" (Clute and Nicholls). Quarto, original cloth, illustrated. Signed by Barry Moser on the title page. Afterword by Joyce Carol Oates. First published in 1818, Frankenstein is not only the "most famous English horror novel" but also, by some critics' reckoning, "the first genuine science fiction novel" (Clute & Nicholls, 1099). The circumstances of its composition are by now well known: 19-year old Mary was in Switzerland with Percy Shelley, Byron, and Byron's physician John Polidori on that famous evening in 1816 when the discussion turned to one of Shelley's favorite topics, the supernatural. Byron proposed that all members of the party write a romance or tale dealing with the subject. The resulting efforts were Polidori's The Vampyre, Byron's unfinished narrative about a vampire, and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, "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). At base, the novel is one of creative powers gone wrong-a subject of paramount concern to Mary Shelley, as her own mother had died as a result of Shelley's birth, and the year before writing Frankenstein, she lost her own daughter, Clare. Published anonymously on January 1st 1818 in a run of only 500 copies, the first edition included a preface written by Percy Shelley and a dedication to the authorâs father, William Godwin. Its narrative, of a living being fashioned with materials found in "the dissecting room and the slaughter-house" and rejected by its maker, has now reached the same mythic cultural status as Don Quixote and Robinson Crusoe. Yet the reviews at the time were mixed, with the Quarterly Review sufficiently morally outraged to wonder "whether the head or the heart of the author be the most diseased," while Walter Scott praised her âoriginal geniusâ and âuncommon powers of poetic imagination.â.

Hardcover. Condition: As New. Never read still in box. Signed by Illustrator(s).

Hardcover. Condition: New. No Jacket. 1st Edition. 1st Printing. Signed by the Illustrator Angela Barrett. Brand new copy. Signed by Author(s).