NYPL acquires rare “Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire,” P.B. Shelley’s first book of verse

Title page of Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire

Elizabeth Denliger, curator of the Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle at the New York Public Library, has announced the acquisition of Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire (1810), the first book of verse published by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Known to exist in only three other copies worldwide. Denliger calls it "a black tulip, one of the rarest items in the Shelleyan world." Co-authored with his sister Elizabeth, Original Poetry, says Denliger, is evidence of "Shelley's early and powerful urge to publish" and his "inclination to literary collaboration."  In her post on the acquisition, Denliger outlines both the historical context of the book as well as the collection's efforts to obtain it. Some fabulous images accompany her commentary.