SHELLEY, PERCY BYSSHE | The Cenci. A Tragedy, in Five Acts. Italy [Livorno]: Printed for C. and J. Ollier, 1819

SHELLEY, PERCY BYSSHE

The Cenci. A Tragedy, in Five Acts. Italy [Livorno]: Printed for C. and J. Ollier, 1819 

8vo (210 x 135 mm). Lacking the initial and terminal blanks. Crushed green morocco by Wood of London, geometric and floral gilt dentelles with red onlays, spine gilt in 6 compartments, top edges gilt, others uncut, green morocco and marbled paper endpapers, gilt; light wear to extremities, head- and tail-pieces. Housed in morocco clamshell case. 

First edition, one of only 250 copies, though printed in 1819 in Italy (using two different paper stocks), it was not issued in London until spring 1820. One of the two great works by Shelley composed in 1819 (the other being Prometheus Unbound). Apart from the unauthorized reprint of Queen Mab this is the only work of the author's to go to a second edition in his lifetime.

REFERENCES

Graniss, p.56; Wise, Ashley Library, p.69; Tinker 1895

PROVENANCE

John M. Schiff (Sotheby's, his sale, 11 December 1990, lot 304; the spurious "C" bookplate) — William H. Painter (booklabel)