The Plays of William Shakespeare, George Steevens, Henry Fuseli Engravings, Alexander Chalmers, 6 Volumes, 1805

A most elegant partial set of this celebrated 1805 Chalmers edition of Shakespeare’s works, comprising six of the original nine volumes. Beautifully rebound in modern tan leather spines with black gilt title labels, feathered marbled paper over boards, and new endpapers. Each play is introduced by a finely engraved frontispiece after Henry Fuseli, R.A., giving the set strong visual appeal.

Edited by Alexander Chalmers and printed by F.C. and J. Rivington and others, this edition is regarded as one of the better early nineteenth-century printings of Shakespeare, combining a corrected Steevens text with critical notes.

The Plays of William Shakespeare, Accurately printed from the Text of the corrected Copy left by the late George Steevens, Esq. With a Series of Engravings, from original designs of Henry Fuseli, Esq. R.A. Professor of Painting: And a selection of Explanatory and Historical Notes, From the most eminent Commentators; A History of the Stage, a Life of Shakespeare, &c. By Alexander Chalmers, A.M. In Nine Volumes (6 of which are present here).

The volumes comprise:

Volume II; Twelth Night; or What You Will, Measure for Measure, Much Ado About Nothing, Midsummer-Nights Dream, Love's Labour Lost. 494pp + Plates; 

Volume IV; Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, King John, King Richard II, King Henry IV, Part I. 518pp + Plates; 

Volume V; King Henry IV, Part II, King Henry V, King Henry VI, Part I, King Henry VI, Part II. 490p + Plates; 

Volume VI; King Henry VI, Part III, King Richard III, King Henry VIII, Troilus and Cressida. 524pp + Plates; and; 

Volume VII; Timon of Athens, Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra. 480pp + Plates; 

Vol VIII; Cymbeline, Titus Andronicus, Pericles, King Lear. 473pp + Plates.

Printed for F.C. and J. Rivington; J. Johnson; R. Baldwin; H.L. Gardner et al, London, 1805.

A very attractive fine set of hardbacks, all soundly bound and beautifully presented. 

The text inside in lovely condition with just the occasional light spotting or some corner creases. With red edges to text block. Vol II with previous owner's details rubbed out to title page, with traces remaining. The engravings in this set are particularly attractive, and can often be found being sold as individual images (The Henry VIII Plate is engraved by William Blake).

A lovely addition to any library.

Text in English.

Dimensions of each volume: Approximately 213mm high x 140mm wide x c. 40mm deep.

Weight approximately 4.2kg (the set - unpacked).