Heritage Auction Galleries is auctioning an extremely rare first edition copy of the 1818 edition of Frankenstein.

“Copies of the 1818 edition of Frankenstein rarely surface,” Tom Slater, Director of Americana auctions for Heritage Auction Galleries said, “especially not in such superb condition. The offering of this scarce collectible, beautifully bound in contemporary brown morocco with five raised bands, and floral gilt decorations on the spines and front and back covers, represents a singular opportunity for the advanced collector looking to add a truly important treasure to his or her holdings. The impact that Shelley’s creation has had upon the modern world is incalculable, and this is where it all began. An opportunity such as this may not come around again for many, many years.”

“The first edition copy of Frankenstein, as well as several other important items offered in our upcoming auction, hails from the collection of Dr. Betty T. Bennett,” Slater said, “a renowned professor of literature and former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, at American University, Washington D.C.”

The auction will be held in Dallas, Texas on April 16-17, 2007. More information is available on the Heritage Auction site, here.