[Rarebooks] FS: First Edition of Shelley's ALASTOR, 1816

[Charles Agvent]

 From our recent catalog: Summer Miscellany with 85 select items in a 
variety of fields.  See the catalog here: 
*http://www.charlesagvent.com/agvent/images/pdfs/Summer2017.pdf*

SHELLEY, Percy Bysshe. ALASTOR; OR, THE SPIRIT OF SOLITUDE; AND OTHER 
POEMS. London: Baldwin, Cradock, And Joy, 1816. First Edition. Small 
octavo (4-1/4" x 7") bound in later green polished calf-backed marbled 
boards with matching calf corners, spine lettered and decorated in gilt; 
vi, [1], 101 pages. Complete but for the final blank (H4) and the 
original endpapers. Composed in the house rented by Shelley near 
Windsor, the poem was inspired by a tour of the Thames with Thomas Love 
Peacock, Mary Godwin, and Charles Clairmont. He evokes the figure of the 
accursed poet who can communicate only through the mediation of the 
"Spirit of solitude." Despite a lukewarm reception, the poem had an 
immediate impact on contemporary poets including Keats in ENDYMION. 
Among the eleven shorter poems included with the title poem is 
"Mutability," which was partly quoted by Mary Shelley in her 
FRANKENSTEIN (1818). Title page tipped in. Mild foxing, a few pages with 
light stains. Very Good example of an important and scarce title.

"This obscure but splendid allegory was the first poem in which 
Shelley's genius was fully displayed" (Hayward, 226). "It is generally 
conceded that in ALASTOR Shelley showed himself a greater master of 
blank verse than any other poet of the time" (Granniss Shelley 32). 
(#018440)        $4,500.00

https://www.charlesagvent.com/shop/agvent/018440.html

-- 
All books subject to prior sale. Cash with order; institutions may be 
billed. Postage additional: $11.00 for the first item; $5.00 for each 
thereafter. Overseas postage billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania 
residents must add 6% sales tax. Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and 
Discover accepted. Books may be returned within 7 days of receipt for 
any reason provided they are in the same condition as sent and prior 
notice is given. Please insure returns for their full value. We carry a 
diverse stock with major specialties including Modern and 19th Century 
Literary First Editions, Signed Books, Presidential Autographs, 
Illustrated Books, and the world's largest inventory of Limited Editions 
Club books. *We have been in business since 1987 and are proud to be 
members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) and 
the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).* Please feel 
free to contact us with any wants or offerings. Thank you.

CHARLES AGVENT

291 Linden Road

Mertztown, PA 19539-8750

610-682-4750

info at charlesagvent.com

Please visit our shop: http://www.charlesagvent.com



---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
http://www.avg.com