Frankenstein

by Shelley, Mary

Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus is a Gothic novel written by Mary Shelley in 1818. The story revolves around Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a monstrous creature and immediately regrets his actions, abandoning the creature to its own devices. The creature, seeking acceptance and revenge, terrorizes Victor and those he loves. Themes of ambition, ethics, humanity, and loneliness are explored through Shelley's vivid descriptions of the natural world and her characters' psychological torment. Frankenstein remains a classic of Gothic literature and a seminal work of science fiction.

Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin wrote the first draft of her groundbreaking novel in 1816, while on a trip to Lake Geneva with her soon-to-be husband, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and poet Lord Byron. They were stuck indoors during famously known as the Year Without a Summer.

First Edition Identification

A small London publishing house, Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, first printed Frankenstein: or, the Modern Prometheus in a limited series of just 500 copies on January 1, 1818. By then, Mary was just 20 years old. The first edition was published anonymously in 1818, with a preface by Percy B. Shelley and a dedication to Mary’s father, philosopher William Godwin. Mary Shelley didn’t publicly claim her novel until years later, and her name appears in the second edition, published in 1823. First edition original pasteboards were in blueish gray.

First editions are very scarce and exceptionally rare on the market. In 2021 one of the first 500 copies of the novel was sold at auction for $1.17 million. It was the first Frankenstein first edition copy to be auctioned since 1985.

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is considered today one of the world’s first science-fiction novels, which addresses key questions of what it means to be human. All first three printings of Frankenstein are scarce and very desirable for collectors. 

In 1831, Mary Shelley published a revised edition with several narrative changes. This 1831 text is the one that’s most widely known. Shelley also added an introduction, in which she describes how the story of Frankenstein came to be and removed the Paradise Lost epitaph that was on the title page of the 1818 edition.

The first illustrated edition was published in two volumes by Colburn and Bentley, London in 1831, illustrated by Theodor von Holst and engraved by William Chevalier. 

Among other collectible editions of Frankenstein is the one done by artist and graphic novel pioneer Lynd Ward in 1934. In 2022 Angela Barret illustrated a Folio Society edition of Frankenstein limited to 750 copies, signed by the artist.  

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Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus; The Ghost Seer; Edgar Huntley
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Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus; The Ghost Seer; Edgar Huntley

by Shelley, Mary; Schiller, Friedrich; Brown, Charles Brockden.

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Used - Near Fine
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First Edition
Published
1831
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Hardcover
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London: Colburn and Bentley, 1831 Two volumes: No. IX with Frankenstein (complete) and Ghost Seer (Vol. 1); No. X with Ghost Seer (Vol. 2) and Edgar Huntley (complete). Illustrated by Theodor von Holst and engraved by William Chevalier. First illustrated edition, first printing, third edition overall. Publisher's brown boards, black labels with gilt lettering to spines, Frankenstein and The Ghost… Read more about this item
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Frankenstein
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Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley

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New
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Fine binding
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Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Mary Shelley Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is an 1818 novel written by Mary Shelley. Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Shelley started writing the story when she was 18, and the first edition was published anonymously in London on 1 January 1818,… Read more about this item
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Frankenstein

Frankenstein

by Shelley, Mary

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Original Hardcover
ISBN 10
9176451976
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Umea, SWE
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Original Hardcover. Publisher: Modernista | 2020 | Original Hardcover | 238 p. | This book is brand new. | Original title: Frankenstein; or, The modern Prometheus | Translator: Pyk, Anna | Series: Modernista klassiker | Language: Svenska | We have this book in our store house - please allow for a couple of extra days for delivery.
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Frankenstein

Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley

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New
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Paperback / softback
ISBN 10
1853260231
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Southport, Merseyside, GBR
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£5.75

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Paperback / softback. New. Frankenstein is a deeply disturbing story of a monstrous creation, which has terrified and chilled readers since its first publication in 1818.
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£5.75
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Frankenstein (Barnes & Noble Leatherbound)

by Mary Shelley

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Used - Good
Published
2012-11-07
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
1435136160
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HOUSTON, Texas, USA
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Sterling Adult, 2012-11-07. Hardcover. Good.
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Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus. [With Slipcase And Sandglass Booklet]

Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus. [With Slipcase And Sandglass Booklet]

by Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft; Introduction By Edmund Lester Pearson, Illustrations By E. Everett Henry

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Slipcase
Published
1934
Binding
Hardcover
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Pasadena, California, USA
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£88.33

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New York: The Heritage Press, 1934. Hardcover. Near Fine/Slipcase. Illustrations from the Screenplay. Xix, 257 Pp. Cloth Stamped In Purple. Undated, Copyright 1934, Reproducing The Limited Editions Club Publication Of That Year. A Solid, Clean, Unmarked Book, In A Very Worn Slipcase With Splits And Missing Half F Closed Rear Panel. With The Heritage Club Sandglass V:18… Read more about this item
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Frankenstein (Royal Collector's Edition) (Case Laminate Hardcover with Jacket)

Frankenstein (Royal Collector's Edition) (Case Laminate Hardcover with Jacket)

by Mary Shelley

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New
Binding
Hardback
ISBN 10
1774378329
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£41.03

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Hardback. New.
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Frankenstein (Signet Classics)

by Mary Shelley

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Used
Binding
New
ISBN 10
0451532244
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Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, USA
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200 years after it was first published, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has stood the test of time as a gothic masterpiece—a classic work of humanity and horror that blurs the line between man and monster... The story of Victor Frankenstein and the monstrous creature he created has held readers spellbound ever since it was published two centuries ago. On the surface, it… Read more about this item
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Frankenstein

Frankenstein

by Shelley, Mary

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Used - Very Good
Published
2000
Binding
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN 10
0451527712
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Signet Classics, 2000. Mass Market Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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£4.81
Frankenstein

Frankenstein

by Shelley, Mary

Condition
Used - Very Good +
Edition
1st Printing
Published
1965
Binding
Paperback
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Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN
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£5.22

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United States: Dell, 1965. Solid with light wear on the covers.. 1st Printing. Paperback. Very Good +.
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£5.22
Frankenstein (with) Denis Duval (

Frankenstein (with) Denis Duval ("Caxton" edition)

by Mary Shelley

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Used - Very Good
Published
1890
Binding
Hardcover
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Bordentown, New Jersey, USA
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Chicago: Belford, Clarke and Company, 1890. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover in ornately decorated tan cloth with "Caxton Edition" on the front cloth. No date but known to be 1890. 713 pp. Two volumes in one, the first being "Frankenstein" with Preface and "Preface to the Last London Edition"; the second being the novel Denis Duval. A tight copy,… Read more about this item
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Frankenstein (Collins Classics)

Frankenstein (Collins Classics)

by Mary Shelley

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New
Binding
Paperback / softback
ISBN 10
0007350961
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Southport, Merseyside, GBR
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Paperback / softback. New. HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.
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Oxford Playscripts: Frankenstein

Oxford Playscripts: Frankenstein

by Shelley, Mary

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Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0198314981
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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Paperback. Very Good.
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Frankenstein

by Shelley, Mary

Condition
Used - Very Good-minus
Published
1965
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0451511328
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Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus. New York: Signet, 1965. Signet Classic 451- CW1132. 17th printing (Bibliography copyright 1983 by New American Library). Afterword by Harold Bloom. Paperback, size about 4x7 inches. Cover price 1.50. Cover art is a scene with barren trees. ISBN 0451511328. 224 pages. Flaws: 3 pages have some previous owner writing. One spine crease,… Read more about this item
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Frankenstein

Frankenstein

by Shelley, Mary

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Edition
Reprint
Published
1960
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Paperback
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Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN
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British: Everyman, 1960. Solid with thin reading creases along the spine on both covers and the interior is unmarked.. Reprint. Paperback. Very Good.
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Frankenstein (Folio Numbered Limited Edition)
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Frankenstein (Folio Numbered Limited Edition)

by Mary Shelley

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New
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Edition
1st Edition 1st Printing
Published
2022
Binding
Hardcover
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St Albans, Hertfordshire, GBR
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London: Folio Society, 2022. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. New/No Jacket. 1st Printing. Signed by the Illustrator Angela Barrett. Brand new copy.
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£690.00
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus
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Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

by Mary Shelley

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Used
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Wilmington, Delaware, USA
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£100.38

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Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press, (1984). Quarto (12 x 9 inches). 254 pages. Hardcover. Fine in like dustwrapper. First trade edition, first printing. Based on the Pennyroyal Edition as designed and illustrated by Barry Moser. An excellent copy.
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£100.38
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Frankenstein

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

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New
Published
pp. 352
Binding
Hardback
ISBN 10
0141393394
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Woodside, New York, USA
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Penguin Books , pp. 352 . Hardback. New.
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Frankenstein

Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1994
ISBN 10
0140620303
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Morangis, FRA
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Penguin Books, 1994. Good. Slightly creased cover. Ammareal gives back up to 15% of this book's net price to charity organizations.
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£5.48
Frankenstein
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Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley

Condition
Used - Very Good
Published
2006
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0141024445
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Penguin, UK, 2006. Paperback. Very Good. Paperback. 279 pages. *** PUBLISHING DETAILS: Penguin, UK, 2006. *** CONDITION: This book is in very good condition. More specifically: Covers have no creasing. Edges of covers have superficial edgewear and corners are lightly bumped. Spine is uncreased. . Pages are lightly tanned. *** ABOUT THIS BOOK: Victor Frankenstein… Read more about this item
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