SHELLEY, Percy Bysshe Adonais: An Elegy on the Death of John Keats

 4to., bound by Sangorski in unbleached limp vellum, lettered in gilt to spine with red silk ties; upper edge gilt, else untrimmed; pp. [vi], 5-31, [xxiii]; printed throughout in red and black on hand-made paper; a fine copy, contained in the original publisher’s card slipcase, which has done an excellent job of protecting the book, now a little browned, spotted and creased. 

Limited edition, one of two hundred and fifty copies printed. This copy no. 187. 

Originally published in 1821, Adonais is a pastoral elegy by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Written for his friend John Keats just a few weeks after his death on the 11th April, it has become one of his best-known works, and is written in the style of an ancient Greek epic: 495 lines in total, and 55 Spenserian stanzas. Keats and Shelley had met in 1816, and at first their relationship was rocky. Shelley’s reception to the publication of Keats' Endymion was largely negative, and there was an ultimate air of suspicion, however after lengthy correspondence they developed a mutual respect, concern, and latterly, genuine affection. "I am aware indeed that I am nourishing a rival who will far surpass me and this is an additional motive & will be an added pleasure", Shelley later wrote. 

This is a particularly beautiful example of the 1935 publication, apparently unread and in fine condition.

SKU: 1800271