[Rarebooks] FS: Perhaps the most beautiful edition of Shakespeare's Plays ever published

[Charles Agvent]

SHAKESPEARE, William. THE PLAYS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: THE COMEDIES, 
HISTORIES & TRAGEDIES: 37 volumes. New York: Limited Editions Club, 
1939-40. Thirty-seven folio (8-3/4" x 13") volumes bound in gold-stamped 
half natural buckram, top edges gilt, with the paper sides, printed in 
four colors, reproducing a patterned wall painting uncovered in a room 
where Shakespeare might have seen and admired it. Edited by Herbert 
Farjeon, who created the Nonesuch edition text of Shakespeare, to 
restore the original typographic style and spelling; typography planned 
and production supervised by Bruce Rogers. Each of the 37 volumes is 
illustrated by one of the world's leading book artists including Arthur 
Rackham, Eric Gill, Robert Gibbings, Jean Charlot, and Frans Masereel. 
Media include wood engravings and lithographs with some hand coloring. 
An attempt to "produce a text such as Shakespeare himself might have 
passed for the printer had he personally read the proofs," and surely 
one of the most beautiful editions, if not the most beautiful edition, 
of Shakespeare ever produced. Each volume is copy #121 of 1950 copies 
issued unsigned. A few spines slightly darkened, corners firm. Near 
Fine. Very difficult to acquire this set in this condition.         
$2,150.00

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CHARLES AGVENT
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Mertztown, PA 19539-8750
610-682-4750
info at charlesagvent.com
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