[Shelley, Percy Bysshe]; The Hermit of Marlow. We Pity the Plumage, But Forget the Dying Bird' - An Address to the People on the Death of the Princess Charlotte. [Thomas Rodd], London, 1843.

Price: US$641.38 + shipping

Condition: Good

Description: 16pp, disbound from a volume at some point, t.e.g. Slightly browned, one or two spots of foxing, but generally clean. Wise notes that "In 1843, when advertising the present pamphlet for sale, Rodd asserted that it was a facsimile reprint of an alleged original edition of which the author was said to have printed twenty copies in 1816. No example of this mysterious original has ever been unearthed . My own opinion is that no original ever existed . The motto 'We pity the plumage but forget the dying bird' was taken by Shelley from Paine's 'Rights of Man', 1817, Pt.I, p. 24, 'He [Burke] pities the plumage but forgets the dying bird'. This clearly denies any impression of the address dated 1816". The pamphlet decries the difference between the public concern for the death of the Princess and their indifference to the plight of the poorest in society (plus ca change) and also examines the execution of the leaders of the Pentrich Rising. Wise, 'A Shelley Library', page 46 Size: 8vo

Seller: Temple Rare Books, Oxford, United Kingdom

SHELLEY, Percy Bysshe. We Pity the Plumage, But Forget the Dying Bird." An Address to the People on the Death of the Princess Charlotte. Reprinted for Thomas Rodd, [London], 1843.

Price: US$1000.00 + shipping

Description: 8vo. Gatherings stitched; red morocco slipcase. According to Wise: "In 1843, when advertising the present pamphlet for sale, Rodd asserted that it was a facsimile reprint of an alleged original edition of which the author had printed twenty copies in 1816. No example of this mysterious original has ever been unearthed; no trace of it beyond Rodd's own statement has ever been discovered; and no mention of any kind either of its printing or distribution is to be found in the correspondence of Shelley or any of his friends. My own opinion is that no original ever existed, that the private impression of twenty copies was a myth, and that Rodd's so-called facsimile reprint of 1843 is in fact the actual princeps of the Address" (Ashley V, p.64). Granniss Shelley, pp.43-44; Wise Shelley, p.46. Fine

Seller: Riverrun Books & Manuscripts, ABAA, Ardsley, NY, U.S.A.

Shelley, Percy Bysshe [The Hermit of Marlow]. We Pity the Plumage but Forget the Dying Bird. An Address to the People on the Death of Princess Charlotte. Thomas Rodd. Compton & Ritchie, 1843.

Price: US$1000.00 + shipping

Condition: Very Good

Description: 16 pages. This rare essay was published anonymously by The Hermit of Marlow, now widely assumed to be Percy Bysshe Shelley. A great deal of mystery still surrounds this little pamphlet - whether it was ever published in 1817 at all (when Charlotte died); whether Shelley approved of the publication; etc. This copy is in very good condition, neatly sewn as it appears to have been issued. Safely stored in a custom box, with slipcase, leather spine stamped with gold titles. The date stamped on the spine is 1841, but there is little to support that date, despite the puzzle of the exact publication history. (Shelley died in 1822). Please email with further questions or to request photographs.

Seller: Riverby Books, Fredericksburg, VA, U.S.A.

Shelley, Percy Bysshe. We Pity the Plumage, but Forget the Dying Bird." An Address to the People on the Death of Princess Charlotte. By The Hermit of Marlow. Reprinted for Thomas Rodd, Great Newport Street (Compton & Ritchie, Printers, Middle Street, Cloth Fair), [London, 1843.

Price: US$2750.00 + shipping

Description: First edition. 16 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. 'Liberty is dead!' - Political Tract by Shelley. According to Wise: "In 1843, when advertising the present pamphlet for sale, Rodd asserted that it was a facsimile reprint of an alleged original edition of which the author had printed twenty copies in 1816. No example of this mysterious original has ever been unearthed; no trace of it beyond Rodd's own statement has ever been discovered; and no mention of any kind either of its printing or distribution is to be found in the correspondence of Shelley or any of his friends. My own opinion is that no original ever existed, that the private impression of twenty copies was a myth, and that Rodd's so-called facsimile reprint of 1843 is in fact the actual princeps of the Address." Political essay arguing that the death of Princess Charlotte in childbirth was "a private grief," while the execution of three weavers for high treason in Derbyshire was a national tragedy. "The execution of Brandreth, Ludlam, and Turner is an event of quite a different character from the death of Princess Charlotte . It is a national calamity that we endure men to rule over us, who sanction for whatever ends a conspiracy which is to arrive at its purpose through such a frightful pouring forth of human blood and agony . Liberty is dead!" Uncommon. Ashley V, p. 64; Granniss Shelley, pp. 43-44; Wise Shelley, p. 46 Sewn as issued. In half blue morocco slipcase and chemise. Fine

Seller: James Cummins Bookseller, ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.