Shelley, Percy Bysshe.

discussing the publication of Frankenstein, admitting that "the novel .... is not my own production, but that of a friend" who he says is not currently in England so cannot correct the manuscript as suggested ("...As to any mere inaccuracies of language I should feel myself authorised to amend them when revising the proofs..."), and proposing contractual terms ("...you should take the risk of printing advertising &c. entirely on yourselves and after full deduction being made from the profits of the book to cover these expenses, that the clear produce both of the first edition & of every succeeding edition should be divided between you & the author..."), 2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf, postal markings, Great Marlow, Bucks, 22 August 1817, seal tear, residue of mount on address leaf, some staining



"...I cannot on the author's part disdain all interest in the first edition, because it is possible that there may be no demand for a second..."



Percy Shelley to the publisher of his wife's masterpiece. Percy and Mary Shelley had worked together very closely on the novel and it must have seemed natural that he should deal with the publishers, especially as a means of protecting his wife's anonymity. Percy's claim that the novel's author was absent from England was not true, but Mary was heavily pregnant with their short-lived daughter Clara - another good reason for Percy to deal with the publisher.



Lackington was the second choice for Frankenstein - some two weeks earlier the manuscript had been rejected by the Ollier brothers - but they replied to Shelley's letter very quickly. Further negotiations followed, however, and Mary Shelley noted in her journal on 19 September that there had finally been a "Bargain with Lackington concerning Frankenstein". Percy saw the first proofs in late September, and a month later submitted alterations including two major additions to the text, with the dedication to Mary's father William Godwin following on 3 December. The novel was published in January 1818 and, as a result of the terms agreed by Percy, the net profit from the first edition was £28 14s. His concern that there may be no call for a second edition was, of course, unfounded. Few novels have permeated the public imagination so deeply and more than 245 editions of Frankenstein have been published. It has been translated into languages from Hebrew to Japanese, not to mention innumerable stage, film, and television adaptations.

Sale in these rooms of Autograph letters and literary documents of the late Mr F. Naylor, 27 July to 1 August 1885, lot 879, to Robert Griffin of Court Garden, Marlow, Bucks (c.1840-1921); thence by descent

Published in The Letters of Percy Bysshe Shelley, ed. Roger Ingpen, London, 1909, vol. 2, p.554

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where approriate
"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."