The presentation copy of ‘Frankenstein’ given to Lord Byron and inscribed in her own hand by Mary Shelley which is being offered by London book dealer Peter Harrington. Copyright: Peter Harrington Books.
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.
