The Plays of William Shakespeare, Charles and Mary Cowden Clarke, Illustrated by H.C. Selous, Cassell, In 3 Volumes c.1868.

The Plays of William Shakespeare. Edited and Annotated by Charles and Mary Cowden Clarke. Illustrated by H.C. Selous. In 3 Volumes, complete; The Comedies; the Historical Plays; and the Tragedies, together with the Editor's Preface and the Life of Shakespeare.

Published by Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris & New York. Undated, but published c.1868, being the first collected three-volume edition, following the original issue in weekly parts between 1864 and 1868. Printed at the Belle Sauvage Works, London. Produced in the desirable large-format folio issue, this edition showcases H. C. Selous's superb illustrations to particularly striking effect, with generous margins and large, clear impressions throughout.

A good (plus) set of these very substantial hardback volumes of 'Cassell's Illustrated Shakespeare', which have beautiful illustrations throughout.

Covers have dark green leather spines and corners, with raised bands, gilt title labels and dark teal cloth over boards. Covers are scuffed and bumped with signs of wear, but contents are soundly bound. Joints are rubbed, with the top 12cm of the front upper joint cracked to Volume III, and text cracked to gutter after Title in the same volume. Front endpapers cracked to Vol I. Endpapers have offset markings.

Overall, text pages and illustrations are very good - nice and clean with mild age-toning. Some scattered spotting to endpapers. Red tinted edges to text block.

Text in English.

The Comedies; (Prelims) + 712pp; 

The Historical Plays; (Prelims) + 596pp;  

The Tragedies. xliv + 775pp. 

Dimensions: Each volume approximately 323mm high x 255mm wide x 38-55mm deep.

Weight approximately 8.85kg (the set - unpacked).