London book dealer Peter Harrington is to offer for sale Lord Byron’s first edition presentation copy of ‘Frankenstein’ (1818), given to him and inscribed in her own hand by Mary Shelley.
The copy had lain untouched for more than 50
years in the library of the late Douglas, Lord Jay, economist,
Labour politician, and president of the Board of Trade under Harold
Wilson.
It was discovered by his grandson, Sammy
Jay, 23, as he was sorting through his political papers for the
Bodleian Library and the inscription was verified by Richard
Ovenden, deputy librarian at the Bodleian.
The book will be on view to the public from
September 26 for one week at Peter Harrington, 100 Fulham Road, and
offers are invited in excess of £350,000.
The current auction record for a first edition
Frankenstein with original boards is £95,000 (plus
premium) achieved at Sotheby's London in October 2010.
Follow us on:
