Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, London, 1818. First edition, 3 volumes, octavo, pp. 182, 156, 192. Original full light brown calf binding stamped in gilt, boards with gilt triple fillet border, spines divided in compartments by gilt raised bands, decoratively tooled and lettered in gilt, board edges and turn-ins ruled and decoratively tooled in gilt, marbled endpapers, all leaf edges gilt. Original half-titles and publisher's advertisements present in all volumes. Though this work of literature is infused with elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic movement, it should be considered the first true science fiction story. In contrast to previous stories with fantastical elements resembling those of later science fiction, the central character makes a deliberate decision and turns to modern experiments in a laboratory to achieve fantastic results. The novel has had a considerable influence on literature and popular culture and spawned a complete genre of horror stories, films, and plays.
