Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca. By the Author of 'Frankenstein'.. G. and W.B. Whittaker, London, 1823.

Price: US$9200.00 + shipping

Description: Rare first edition of Shelley's second novel, which has been called "a meditation on political, psychological, and sexual power" and is considered by many to be her finest work. 12mo., bound in 19th century three quarter calf over marbled boards by Bumpus, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, raised bands. In very good condition, contemporary name. A very sharp example. ValpergaÂ"was aÂnovel surprisingly long in its gestation " and possibly concurrentÂwith Frankenstein . "Although not published until 1823, its inceptionÂactually dates from six years earlier. 'I first thought of it in ourÂlibrary in Marlow,' Mary Shelley wrote as she was completing it inÂ1821." Â[See: Curran, Stuart. Cambridge Companion to Mary Shelley"].ÂThe preface details some literary sources for this historical tale of theÂfourteenth-century despot Castruccio Castracani. In terms ofÂhistorical fiction, it represents a feminine counterpart to the male romanticism of Sir Walter Scott.Â(Ref: Block, p 213; Summers A Gothic Bibliography, p. 541).

Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.