Shelley, Percy Bysshe.

8vo, first edition, one of 250 copies without half-title as issued, original blue-grey boards, plain paper spine, uncut, small tear to front endpaper, some very small ink spots to upper cover, spine slightly torn, some wear to edges of binding

Simon Nowell-Smith and his wife Judith Adams Nowell-Smith, bookplates; Bertram Rota, Catalogue 300 (2002), The Simon Nowell-Smith Collection, item 670

Graniss, p.56; Wise, Ashley Library., p.69; Tinker 1895

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

very rare in the original boards.  One of the two great works by Shelley composed in 1819 (the other being Prometheus Unbound). Apart from the unauthorized reprint of Queen Mab this is the only work of the author's to go to a second edition in his lifetime. Shelley had been keen for the work to be produced for the stage, but its lurid subject matter prohibited this until 1886, when it was privately staged for the Shelley society. It was publicly staged in Paris in 1891.