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ANTIQUARIAN, RARE & COLLECTABLE BOOKS & SOUTH EAST ASIAN ANTIQUES
ANTIQUARIAN, RARE & COLLECTABLE BOOKS & SOUTH EAST ASIAN ANTIQUES

The Plays of William Shakespeare, Edited by Thomas Keightley, J.S. Virtue, c. 1892-94

LAN9806
Original price £150.00 - Original price £150.00
Original price
£150.00
£150.00 - £150.00
Current price £150.00

This attractively bound four-volume set of The Plays of William Shakespeare, edited by Thomas Keightley and published by J.S. Virtue & Co. in the early 1890s, presents the Bard’s dramatic works in a richly designed Victorian format. Each volume is illustrated with high-quality photogravure portraits of leading stage actors of the day, offering both literary content and a glimpse into late 19th-century theatrical culture. Elegantly printed with black text framed by red-ruled borders, and bound in leather-backed boards with raised bands and gilt decoration, the set exemplifies the period’s appreciation for Shakespeare as both a national literary figure and a popular cultural icon.

The Plays of William Shakespeare, Edited by Thomas Keightley. In Four Volumes, complete. 

Published by J.S. Virtue & Co., Limited, London. Undated, but Worldcat consensus seems to indicate a printing date of 1892-1894. Presumed first edition.

A very good set of 4 hardback volumes, each with black leather spine and corners, with raised bands, burgundy morocco labels, and gilt decoration and titles. With dark blue cloth over boards. Leather with some scuffing and bumping, and cloth with some light wear and scuffing generally, but Volume IV more has some significant discoloration and heavier wear. Still an attractive set. Some cracking to endpapers at gutter at inner hinges in places, but all volumes are soundly bound and secure.

Text is bright and clean throughout with some light usage marks. Some spotting to endpapers. The text features black text with red ruled borders. The photogravure images are lovely and clean and of excellent quality. There are 28 images in total (all as called for).

Text in English.

Vol. I: viii + (2) + 209pp + (1) + 7 tissue guarded plates, including frontispiece; 

Vol. II: (3) + 237pp + (1) + 7 tissue guarded plates, including frontispiece; 

Vol. III: (3) + 198pp + (1) + 8 tissue guarded plates, including frontispiece; 

Vol. IV: (3) + 236pp + 6 tissue guarded plates, including frontispiece.  

Dimensions of each volume: Approximately 275mm high x 195mm wide x c. 26mm deep.

Weight approximately 4.55kg (the set - unpacked).