The Pictorial Edition of the Works of Shakspere (Shakespeare) Edited by Charles Knight Histories, Tragedies, Comedies, Doubtful Plays & Biography [Eight Volumes First Edition Thus (?) Half Leather Binding by Henington Galabin]

William Shakespeare

Published by London: Charles Knight & Co., 1840

About this Item

London: Charles Knight & Co., First Edition Thus (?), Advertisement to The Comedies Vol I dated 1839, Advertisement to the Biography dated 1843. Charles Knight's pictorial edition of the works of Shakespeare. Complete in eight volumes. Bound by Henington Galabin with their label to the front paste down. The set consists of a Biography of Shakespeare, the Comedies in two volumes, the Tragedies on two volumes, the Histories in two volumes and the Doubtful Plays. With many beautiful illustrations throughout. In half black calf bindings with gilt titles to red labels, gilt raised bands, blind stamped compartments and marbled paper covered boards, an attractive set. Externally, gilt decorated with wear to the spines. Internally, firmly bound, one page or two standing proud to Vol II of the Comedies, bright with occasional spotting. Charles Knight (15 March 1791 March 1873) was an English publisher and author. The son of a bookseller and printer at Windsor, he was apprenticed to his father. On completion of his indentures he took up journalism and had an interest in several newspaper speculations, including the Windsor, Slough and Eton Express. He edited and published London (1841) in three volumes, a heavily illustrated history of the city. Besides many illustrated editions of standard works, including in 1842 an edition of the works of William Shakespeare entitled The Pictorial Shakspere, which had appeared in parts (1838 1841), The set consisting of: William Shakspere, A Biography, by Charles Knight, Revised and Augmented, not dated, [xii], 3-544pp. Doubtful Plays, not dated, [xii], 5-495pp. Comedies Vol I, not dated, [x], 3-456pp. Comedies Vol II, not dated, [vi], 3-453pp. Histories Vol I, not dated, [x], 390pp. Histories Vol II, not dated, xcii, 398pp. Tragedies Vol I, not dated, [viii], 471pp. Tragedies Vol II, not dated, viii, 390pp, followed by the Poems of William Shakespeare dated 1841, 157pp, followed by the Postscript xviipp. Provenance: no inscriptions or bookplates. Approximately 9 ¾ inches tall (24.7cm). Condition Report Externally Spine good condition gilt titles to red labels, worn marked, scratched with some loss of colour tothe leather, gilt raised bands. Joints good condition worn and rubbed. Corners good condition bumped and worn. Boards good condition hatched cloth maroon covered boards, with gilt lined spine and quarters, marked and worn. Page edges good condition all page edges marbled, dust darkened to the tops. See above and photos. Internally Hinges good condition sound. Paste downs good condition marbled. End papers good condition marbled. Title good condition tanned with some foxing. Pages good condition tanned with some foxing. Binding good condition solid. See photos. Publisher: see above. Publication Date: 1839-43 Binding: Hardback. Seller Inventory # ABE-1719867538517

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Pictorial Edition of the Works of ...

Publisher: London: Charles Knight & Co.

Publication Date: 1840

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Good