[Rarebooks] FS: One of the most beautiful editions of SHAKESPEARE's Works

[Charles Agvent]

SHAKESPEARE, William. THE PLAYS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: THE COMEDIES, 
HISTORIES & TRAGEDIES with THE POEMS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: 39 volumes. 
New York: Limited Editions Club, 1939-1940. 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 with the 2 matching poetry 
volumes. 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 #705 of 1950 copies issued unsigned. 
Included are the Commentaries for each play, never folded in this case. 
Slight browning to the gutters of some volumes, contents bright and 
fresh. Spines foxed to varying degrees, some very much so. Overall an 
attractive set in at least Very Good condition.

The covers reproduce a patterned wall painting uncovered under many 
layers of wallpaper in a room in an old house in Oxford that belonged to 
John Davenant where Shakespeare spent nights on his annual journey to 
Warwickshire. When one looks at the outside of one of these books, one 
probably sees the very design Shakespeare saw waking after a long night 
of talking and drinking with Davenant who was a vintner.
  (#018228)        $1,500.00

www.charlesagvent.com/shop/agvent/018228.html

-- 
All books subject to prior sale. Cash with order; institutions may be 
billed. Postage additional billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania 
residents must add 6% sales tax. Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and 
Discover accepted. Books may be returned within 7 days of receipt for 
any reason provided they are in the same condition as sent and prior 
notice is given. Please insure returns for their full value. We carry a 
diverse stock with major specialties including Modern and 19th Century 
Literary First Editions, Signed Books, Presidential Autographs, 
Illustrated Books, and the world's largest inventory of Limited Editions 
Club books. *We have been in business since 1987 and are proud to be 
members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) and 
the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).* Please feel 
free to contact us with any wants or offerings. Thank you.

CHARLES AGVENT

291 Linden Road

Mertztown, PA 19539-8750

610-682-4750

info at charlesagvent.com

Please visit our shop: http://www.charlesagvent.com