Hoe Copy of Shelley's verse drama

The Cenci. A Tragedy.

[Livorno], Italy: Printed for C. and J. Ollier Vere Street, Bond Street, 1819.

Price: $7,500.00


About the item

First edition, one of 250 copies, without initial blank. 104 pp. 1 vols. 8vo (9-1/8 x 5-3/4 inches: 232 x 146 mm.). Hoe Copy of Shelley's verse drama. Bound in full green morocco, gilt spine, t.e.g., by Riviere & Sons, professionally rebacked in invisible fashion, spine gilt (very slightly sunned, else fine). Bookplate of Robert Hoe and Blairhame. Granniss 50; Ashley V 69; not in Tinker.

Item #219217

First edition of Shelley's dramatization of this dark tale of parricide, child abuse, and incest — based on actual events — and arguably the most enduring Romantic verse-play. Only 250 copies were printed, according to Shelley himself. According to Granniss, "With the exception of Queen Mab, The Cenci is the only one of Shelley's works which reached a second edition during his lifetime ..." On the other hand, the play was never staged until the Shelley Society produced it on the occasion of Robert Browning's birthday, on May 7, 1886.