Lot 319: SHELLEY, Percy Bysshe (1792-1822). Alastor; or, the Spirit of Solitude: and Other Poems. London: S. Hamilton for Baldwin, Cradock and Joy and Carpenter and Son, 1816.

8 o (151 x 98 mm). (Lacks final blank.) 19th-century green morocco gilt, edges gilt, by F. Bedford (hinges very slightly rubbed). Provenance : Silvain S. Brunschwig (morocco booklabel), sold Parke- Bernet, New York, 9 April 1951, lot 179 (mentioning Harry B. Smith bookplate, apparently removed). FIRST EDITION of Shelley's "first authentic and unmistakable poem... the tragedy of the idealist who seeks in reality the counterpart of his ideal" ( Cambridge History of English Literature ). "As first published, it is accompanied by ten minor poems (Stanzas, Sonnets, etc.) and the first part of The Daemon of The World... In an article on Young Poets in The Examiner for December 1, constituting perhaps the 'first public recognition of Shelley's poetical gifts,' Leigh Hunt characterized the author of Alastor (then a stranger to him) as 'a very striking and original thinker.' It is generally conceded that in Alastor Shelley showed himself a greater master of blank verse than any other poet of the time" (Granniss/Grolier Shelley 32). Ashley V, pp.60-61; Tinker 1892; Wise Shelley, pp.42-3. FINE COPY.