Shelley, Percy Bysshe

12mo (180 x 110mm), FIRST EDITION, dark blue morocco gilt by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, covers with frame of Celtic knots with floral centrepieces with red inlays, spine gilt in six compartments, inside dentelles inlaid with red morocco and elaborately gilt, red morocco endpapers, top edge gilt, in a folding box, half title supplied in facsimile, title page and some other leaves possibly supplied from other copies

[with:] Autograph note signed ("PBS"), to a publisher, apologising that "I have possibly arranged my MSS under either too many or too few Chapters, and have made a mistake in the number", and asking for literary advice ("...you would oblige me, as I am without occupation, by telling me what style of writing &c you would advise for me..."), one page, oblong 8vo, n.d.

[autograph note:] Sold in these rooms, 31 May 1907, lot 102 (catalogue slip enclosed with lot)

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

A RARE COPY OF SHELLEY'S FIRST REGULARLY PUBLISHED BOOK. This Gothic novella of suicide and revenge in Bavaria was praised by The Gentleman's Magazine as "a short, but well-told tale of horror, and, if we do not mistake, not from an ordinary pen". It was written when its author was still a schoolboy at Eton.  

The short note that accompanies this lot almost certainly accompanied the manuscript of one of Shelley's early prose fictions, probably Zastrozzi or St Irvyne; its tone is certainly that of a neophyte author.