A first edition of 'Frankenstein' goes up for auction in September

"FRANKENSTEIN" was written during the rainy summer of 1816 on the shores of Lake Geneva, where the author and her husband, Percy Shelley, were staying with Lord Byron. Lord Byron had suggested to the group, who had been enjoying reading French translations of German ghost stories, that they each write their own.

In the preface to the 1831 edition, Mary Shelley recounts the origin of her most famous novel: "I busied myself to think of a story – a story to rival those which had excited us to this task. One which would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature, and awaken thrilling horror – one to make the reader dread to look round, to curdle the blood, and quicken the beatings of the heart."

Only 500 copies of 'Frankenstein' were printed on January 1, 1818, when Mary Shelley first published the story. They include a preface written by Percy Shelley and a dedication to the author's father, William Godwin. Editions of the novel in the original boards are extremely rare on the market. This is the first time one of them will appear at auction since 1985, according to Christie's.

The book could fetch between US$200,000 (RM830,000) and US$300,000 when it goes under the hammer on September 14 during the sale, titled 'The Exceptional Literature Collection of Theodore B. Baum: Part One'.

At the same time, book lovers will also be able to try to get their hands on an original edition of Charles Darwin's 'Origin of Species' and a complete copy of William Shakespeare's 'Second Folio.' The first lot is estimated at between US$80,000 and US$120,000, while the second could sell for US$250,000.

"Mr. Baum built his library over the course of decades, waiting patiently for each title to come on the market, either through private dealers or at auction," Heather Weintraub, book and manuscript specialist and head of the sale at Christie's, told Penta. "Nearly every book shares remarkable condition and impeccable provenance."

The various books from the collection of Theodore B. Baum will be on display September 9 to 13 in Christie's New York galleries. – ETX Daily Up, September 4, 2021