1873-76 The Works of Shakspere Imperial Edition Edited by Charles Knight

Description

Decorative Binding, Illustrated, Leather Binding

Morocco binding, complete two volume set.

A handsomely bound set of poet and playwright William Shakespeare's works, published in 1893-1896. Undated internally, so was dated on Jisc from a similar copy found in the British Library. 

Illustrated with two frontispieces and vignettes, as well as thirty-seven black-and-white plates. 

This Imperial Edition of William Shakespeare's works includes a 'Notice of the Original Editions of the Plays' at the beginning of Volume I, explaining the format of the first folio edition of 1623, which 'must be received as the only accredited copy'. Volume II ends with 'A Brief Notice of Opinion on the Writings of Shakspere' by editor Charles Knight to rear.

This set includes thirty six plays, five poems, one song, one set of verses, and thirteen of the plays that have been ascribed to Shakespeare. Notable works include 'The Taming of the Shrew', 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'King Richard III', 'King Lear', and 'Macbeth'. 

Volume I contains Shakespeare's Comedies and Histories, while Volume II contains Histories continued from Volume I, as well as Tragedies, Poems, and 'Plays Ascribed to Shakspere'. The Comedies and Tragedies have been arranged according to the evidence of the dates of their composition, while the Histories follow the chronology of the several king's reigns.

Edited by Charles Knight, an English publisher, editor, and author, who established the Local Government Chronicle.

Prior owner's initials to front board as well as bookplate on front pastedown of both volumes- John Geach Rome, Trelawney, Wyke Regis. 

Both volumes collated and complete.