Gray’s Auctioneers presents its first Fine Printed Books Auction, to be held Thursday May 6, 2010 at 1 pm, in which travel guides, illustrated books, art books, modern first editions, and sets are all well-represented.

Among the highlights of the sale is a third edition of Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece Frankenstein, being the first edition to include an illustration of the monster as well as Shelley’s introduction in which she explains the foundation of the story written while on holiday along the banks of Lake Geneva with her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. The estimate is $1,500-2,500.

Numerous books illustrated by Maxfield Parrish are being offered, including Irving’s A History of New York, Hawthorne’s Wonder Books and Tanglewood Tales, his fine collaboration with Edith Wharton Italian Villas and Their Gardens, and numerous others. Estimates range from $75-100 to $400-600.

Unique lots include a first edition of George Burchett’s Memoirs of a Tattooist based on his 55-year career as Britain’s most famous tattoo artist (estimate: $200-300), Edward Gordon Craig’s Henry Irving. Ellen Terry, etc. A Book of Portraits signed by both Irving and Terry (estimate: $200-300), and Gustave Witkowski’s curious treatise on décolletage titled Tetoniana. Anecdotes historiques er religieuses sur les aeins et l’allaitement comprenant l’histoire du décolletage et du corset (estimate: $100-200).

This sale is online only, and bidding is available via absentee, phone and live online through Live Auctioneers, and Gray’s Live.

All lots are available to preview at Gray’s showrooms located at 10717 Detroit Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio beginning April 29 through May 5, Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.

A fully illustrated catalog is available online at www.graysauctioneers.com.

Image shown: Lot 31 PARRISH, Maxfield, illustrator . WHARTON, Edith (1862-1937). Italian Villas and their Gardens. Estimate: $400-600.