The Revolt of Islam; a poem, in twelve cantos.

London: for C. and J. Ollier; by B. McMillan,, 1818. An attractive copy of Shelley's poem with the errata leaf First edition, revised issue with new title and cancels, with the 1818 date as usual. An attractive copy of Shelley's poem in 12 cantos, dedicated to Mary Shelley, with the errata leaf at end. In 1817 the publishers C. and J. Ollier agreed to publish Shelley's long poem, Laon and Cythna. Shelley's new father-in-law, William Godwin, recommended a master printer for the job, Buchanan Millan, who made minor alterations to the text without consulting the poet. Shelley wrote to the Olliers complaining about these liberties, whereupon the Olliers read the work for the first time and realised what they had agreed to publish. In the original version the titular lovers were brother and sister. London was alive with gossip about Shelley living with both Mary Godwin and her half-sister Claire Clairmont, and in contemporary usage, such a ménage was termed incest (see St. Clair, The Godwins and the Shelleys, p. 432). Shelley therefore made alterations, removing any hint of incest, and gave the book a new title, The Revolt of Islam, by which it is still known. The book is made up from original sheets of Laon and Cythna, with 26 cancelled leaves and a new title leaf. A few copies were issued with the title misdated 1817; this is the second issue as usual, with the correct date. Octavo (210 x 128 mm). Later half brown morocco with marbled boards, signed "AD. BERTRAND", lettering and decorative tooling to spine in gilt, spine with five raised bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Extremities slightly worn with additional slight abrasions to corners and upper front joint, internal front hinge split but sound, some internal foxing and browning; a very good and attractive copy. Ashley V, pp. 67-8; Forman, Shelley 50; Granniss 44; Tinker 1895.