A Tragedy, In Five Acts.
The Cenci A Tragedy, In Five Acts.
Printed for C. and J. Ollier, 1819.
First edition. Large 8vo (217 x 145mm). Bound in late-nineteenth century full scarlet crushed morocco by MacLehose, without the initial blank. Raised bands and gilt titles to spine. Gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers. A tall, near fine copy, some occasional light spotting internally. Neat inscription to front free endpaper.
In 1818, Shelley and his wife made for Italy, and went to stay with friends, the Gisbournes, in Livorno. Mary Gisbourne introduced Mary Shelley to the 'Cenci Manuscript', a sensational Renaissance story about the evil Count Cenci of Rome who committed incest with his daughter, the beautiful Beatrice, and was subsequently murdered by her.
Mary transcribed the story and one year later Percy Shelley returned to the manuscript and wrote a melodrama in verse, his first work for the theatre.
The book was printed for Shelley while in Livorno in a run of 250 copies, and the unbound sheets were sent by him to Charles and James Ollier in London to be bound up.
Wise p.51
Stock ID: 42808
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