Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to lead October 10 sale with $15,000 estimate

A rare 1831 edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, featuring the first illustrated depiction of Frankenstein's monster, will highlight PBA Galleries' Beats, Counterculture and Avant Garde sale on October 10.  

Mary Shelley Frankenstein PBA
The lot features one of the earliest depictions of Frankenstein's monster

The story appears in volumes nine and 10 of British publisher Colburn and Bentley's Standard Novels series, and features an estimate of $10,000-15,000. The first truly popular edition of the novel, the frontispiece features an early illustrated depiction of Frankenstein's monster.

A rare first edition copy of Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer is another highlight of the San Francisco auction, with an estimate of $8,000-12,000.

The book was published in 1934 in Paris but banned in the US and Great Britain due to its candid sexuality. It was finally published in the US in 1961 and declared non-obscene by the supreme court in 1964.

"Not to be imported in to Great Britain or the United States" is printed on the front cover.

A 1953 first edition copy of Casino Royale by Ian Fleming carries an $8,000-12,000 estimate, and is one of approximately 4,750 copies printed.

A copy of Jack Kerouac's On the Road features an identical estimate. The copy is signed by Alan Ginsberg, Jami Cassady and Neal Cassady - who wrote "Neal L Cassady, Tell it John" in pencil on page 254.

Neal Cassady was Kerouac's inspiration for Dean Moriarty, and a major figure in both the beat and psychedelic movements. His signature is incredibly rare.

See our rare books and manuscripts for sale.

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