Shelly's Poetical Works
I would appreciate any comments regarding this book
"The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley", edited by Mrs. Shelley, published by Porter & Coates. There is no publication date, but the dedication reads "To Percy Florence Shelley, The Poetical Works of His Illustrious Father are dedicated, by his affectionate mother, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. London 20th January, 1839. There are 391 pages, and it is described on the spine as a "New and Complete Edition, Illustrated". There is also a postscript by Mrs. Shelley on the revision of this new edition, dated November 6th, 1839. |
wrote:
I would appreciate any comments regarding this book "The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley", edited by Mrs. Shelley, published by Porter & Coates. There is no publication date, but the dedication reads "To Percy Florence Shelley, The Poetical Works of His Illustrious Father are dedicated, by his affectionate mother, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. London 20th January, 1839. There are 391 pages, and it is described on the spine as a "New and Complete Edition, Illustrated". There is also a postscript by Mrs. Shelley on the revision of this new edition, dated November 6th, 1839. You probably have this: http://www.copac.ac.uk/copac/wzgw?id...n=F&rsn=1&rn=3 As you can see, the probable date of publication is 1884. Mary Shelley's original edition of her husband's works was first published in four volumes in 1839. As a later edition, your copy is of little market value, but if you want to build up a collection of Romantic poetry for your own use, volumes like this are inexpensive and much more handsome than modern paperback editions (which, bought new, would cost about as much or, sometimes, even more). The same would apply to 19th century reprint editions generally; unless they are in fine leather bindings (which fetch rather higher prices) they aren't terribly pricey, they're (generally) quite attractive, both on the shelf and when taken down and opened, and there's something nice about having the literature you love in tomes a hundred years old or more. The main proviso would be condition. It's not hard to come by copies of Victorian reprint editions which are still firm in their binding, the pages fresh-looking (and -smelling!), and generally well-preserved. I would hold out for copies in that kind of condition, and generally avoid copies with loose leaves, foxing, faded spines, etc.. The former might cost a little more, but the results will be vastly more satisfying. -- John http://rarebooksinjapan.com |
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