LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Apr Books, Manuscripts & Autographs #658  / 

25647

1828 Frankenstein Broadside

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Theater Memorabilia Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
1828 Frankenstein Broadside
<B>1828 Broadside Advertising "A Romance of a peculiar interest, entitled 'Presumption; or, The Fate of Frankenstein'",</B></I> October 1, 1828, 8.25" x 14.125". The music was composed by Mr. Watson, previous to which, Von Weber's popular Overture to <I>Der Freischutz,</B></I> performed at the Theatre Royal, English Opera House, Strand. Also on the same bill are "The Quartette!" and "Amateurs and Actors".<BR><BR>This "opera" by Richard Brinksley Peake first opened on July 28, 1823 in the English Opera House and had an initial run of 37 performances. It continued in the repertoire until at least 1850. Mary Shelley saw and enjoyed Peake's production and the celebrity it brought her as it greatly expanded her audience. She wrote about it in a letter to Leigh Hunt on September 9, 1823. The broadside of the first 1823 version advertised the title as "Presumption, a New Romance" with no mention of Frankenstein. It soon became clear, though, that the name itself was a magic word and a vital part of the story's appeal. The following story line for the stage show was adapted from Donald F. Glut's <I>The Frankenstein Catalog,</B></I> (North Carolina: McFarland & Co., 1984).<BR><BR>Spurned by his betrothed, Agatha De Lacey, Frankenstein creates a human being. Frankenstein's servant, Fritz, leaks this information to Clerval, the fiancé of Frankenstein's sister, Elizabeth. The Demon comes to life, and Frankenstein is unable to stop him with a sword. Alone, the Demon finds himself sensitive to light. He shows kindness toward Agatha's blind father. After Agatha's brother, Felix, and Frankenstein try to kill the Demon, it vengefully burns down the De Laceys' cottage, kills Frankenstein's brother, William, then murders Agatha during the wedding of Clerval and Elizabeth. In the first stage production, Frankenstein pursues his creation across a lake, fires a musket, causing an avalanche, which buries both him and the Demon. In 1826, a new ending was fashioned. The broadside for the October 1st, 1828 performance, on the same stage as that of the first production, touts "an entirely new scene, a schooner in a violent storm! In which Frankenstein and the Monster are destroyed."<BR><BR>The broadside is in overall very good condition, with a .875" closed tear at bottom edge near right corner, and a .1875" x .3125" edge piece out at the lower right corner, with the lower left corner creased, light foxing throughout, and minimal color loss from the three lines in largest type. <I>From the Betty Bennett Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Framed (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>) <BR><BR><B>Important notice
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