**BREAKING: FRANKENSTEIN FRENZY HITS AUCTION BLOCK AS FIRST EDITION SELLS FOR SMALL FORTUNE**
In a shocking turn of events, a rare first edition of Mary Shelley’s classic novel “Frankenstein” has sold for a whopping $843,750 at a recent auction. The sale has sent shockwaves through the literary world, with collectors and enthusiasts alike going wild for the coveted volume.
The highly sought-after book, published in 1818, was described by auctioneers as “a holy grail for literature lovers” and “a monster of a find.” The winning bidder, who wishes to remain anonymous, was seen doing a victory dance in the auction room, shouting “It’s alive! It’s alive!” as they claimed their prize.
According to sources, the book was in near-mint condition, with only a few minor flaws, including a tiny tear on page 37 and a faint coffee stain on the cover. “It’s a miracle it survived this long,” said one collector. “I heard the previous owner had it chained to their bookshelf to keep it from being devoured by a hungry monster.”
The sale more than tripled the pre-auction estimate, with some experts predicting it would fetch a mere $200,000. “We’re thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” said a spokesperson for the auction house. “We knew it was a rare gem, but we didn’t expect it to spark such a fierce bidding war.”
As news of the sale spread, Frankenstein’s monster was seen roaming the streets, celebrating with a giant cake and a team of mariachi musicians. “I’m so proud of my creator’s book selling for such a pretty penny,” the monster exclaimed. “Now I can finally afford to buy my own island and retire from the whole ‘ terrorizing villagers’ business.”
The sale marks a new record for the most expensive literary artifact sold at auction, surpassing the previous record held by a rare copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” When asked for comment, Harper Lee’s estate released a statement saying, “We’re not bitter. We’re just… plotting our next move.”
In related news, a local used bookstore reported a surge in demand for copies of “Frankenstein,” with one customer offering to trade in their gently used toaster for a copy. As one bookseller quipped, “It’s a monster market out there!”
