1893 Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley. Mershon, New York

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Scarce Victorian-era printing of Mary Shelley's classic work Frankenstein. This edition is rare in the world's libraries, WorldCat only recording one copy in Harvard's library (OCLC record number 30716646); this is probably, in part, because of the acidic 19th century paper used in printing. The paper is somewhat brittle, and the 1st blank endpaper, the title page, and the last printed page have all cracked at the gutter and are now loose (three leaves).

There is no copyright date, but the Harvard copy notes that it has an 1893 date printed on its spine. I've also found another Mershon copy that PBA tried to sell in 2006 (sale 341) with a different binding, so Mershon must have applied more than one publisher's binding to the work.

Both the Harvard copy, and this copy, have no pages numbered 1-2, which were either counted as the 1st blank endpaper, or there was a half-title that is missing from both copies. But I don't see the remnants of a third leaf at the gutter, only the enpaper and title page's stubs; I think the printer simply didn't include a half-title. But there may be a half-title missing.

University of Penn's Knarf lists this as the 18th printing of Frankenstein undertaken (not counting editions of the same publisher).

The prices are surprising even me. But the immense popularity of the work is overtaking it. I keep an eye out for 19th century copies and this is the first I've come across in years that was affordable.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 15 x 10 x 1.5 cm.. Hardcover boards, covered in cloth decorated with the publisher's design. 294 pages.

Condition -

See pictures. Binding has some soiling, marks, light stains and sunning to spine, but the corners and edges are not worn through. Hinges cracked. The paper used was acidic and it's on the brittle side. The blank front endpaper, and the title page, have come loose at the gutter; also the last printed page at the rear. There is no writing. There is toning throughout. Occasional chips at page edges. Some separation at gutter at 162/163, crash (inner part of spine) not cracked but visible. While this book hasn't been mistreated, its binding shows the wear of time and the paper is suffering from 19th century production techniques. Else, this is a decent Victorian-era copy.

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