As part of Indiana’s statewide celebration of the 200^th anniversary of the publishing of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, two state universities are displaying rare editions of the book.

Indiana University-Bloomington

The Indiana University Lilly Library in Bloomington has just put on display a first edition of Frankenstein – one of only 500 copies printed in the early 1800’s.

The monster illustrated in this first edition is different from the green-skinned, bolted one we’re used to.  He’s drawn as an attractive, tall, black-haired bookworm.

And one big thing is missing from the first edition, says Lilly Library’s Rebecca Baumann.  It’s Mary Shelley’s name.

“Many 19^th century novels were published anonymously, even more so when they were written by women,” she says.

The Frankenstein exhibit in Bloomington runs through December.

Indiana Humanities provided communities across the state with grants to buy reading copies of the book. (Graphic: Indiana Humanities)

Ball State University – Muncie

Ball State University also has an early edition of Frankenstein on display until April 27.  The 2^nd American edition is part of a collection from the Remnant Trust visiting the E.B. Ball Center.

Frankenstein and other books in the traveling exhibit can be viewed by appointment.