MARY SHELLEY’S 1839 EDITION OF SHELLEY’S POETICAL WORKS, VERY HANDSOMELY BOUND

SHELLEY, Percy Bysshe. The Poetical Works. Edited by Mrs. Shelley. London: Edward Moxon, 1839. Four volumes. 12mo, early 20th-century full tan calf gilt rebacked with original elaborately gilt-decorated spines and red and navy morocco spine labels laid down, raised bands, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. $2500.

First edition of Mary Shelley’s important edition of her husband’s poetical works, handsomely bound by Zaehnsdorf.

After Shelley’s death in 1822, Mary Shelley devoted herself to publishing his manuscripts and writing his biography. She first attempted to publish Shelley’s poems in 1824, but his father, Sir Timothy Shelley, prevented further publication of Shelley’s writings for fifteen years. “In 1839, the obstacles to an authentic edition having been removed… Mrs. Shelley published what was then supposed to be a definitive edition in four volumes, enriched with biographical notes and some very beautiful lyrics which had remained in manuscript” (DNB). With engraved frontispiece portrait of Shelley by Finden. With all half titles. Lowndes, 2374. CBEL III:213. Armorial bookplates.

Text fine, very mild rubbing to boards. A handsome near-fine set of this desirable edition.