Percy B. SHELLEY.

The Cenci. A tragedy, in five acts. Italy, printed for C. and J. Ollier, London, 1819. In-8: blond calf, ornate ribbed spine, olive green morocco title-piece, double framing of the boards with gilt fillets with fleurons in the corners, gilt numeral in the centre contained in an oval of gilt foliage, gilt fillets on the spines and inner border, gilt edges on witnesses (Bedford). First edition. Printed in Livorno on behalf of the Ollier family, only 250 copies were printed. The play was adapted in 1935 by Antonin Artaud, with sets and costumes by Balthus. "L'expérience des Cenci, Artaud's ultimate theatrical experience, playing on the correspondences between set, sound, music, pantomime, gestures and cries, will constitute the sensitive implementation of his theatrical theories. Initially well received, the show was soon the target of criticism, and after seventeen performances, it had to be withdrawn from the bill. Although he considered it a "success in absolute terms", the public and critical failure of his play affected him greatly and was surely one of the reasons for his departure for Mexico" (BnF). A fine copy, with large margins, from the Huth and Harry Glemby libraries with bookplate. JM numeral on the boards.