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11 volumes, 19th century half-calf and boards, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, 8vo, 20cm, l [=50], 382 + 407, [1] + 427, [1] + 395, [1] + 481, [1] + 510, [1] + 469, [2] + 436, [1] + 349, [2] + 412, [1] + 282 pp, one frontispiece portrait. An attractive Pickering edition which includes a long preface by Samuel Johnson. Writing of this and other sets in Pickering's 'Wreath Series', the bibliographer Geoffrey Keynes observed: "They .possess in common an exceedingly pleasant format, and on their title-pages is his beautiful and individual wreath ornament usually with the motto : Perennis el fragrant. . These volumes, although not showing such a high level of press-work as is found in Pickering s later books, do nevertheless include some of the most attractive books which he ever produced. Some are printed on excellent laid paper, but the majority [including the Shakespeare] are on wove of the variety known as ribbed . This paper, now no longer made, was much in favour at that time and certainly produces a very pleasing effect. The paper was subjected, while soft, to pressure so that a ribbed surface was obtained resembling that of laid paper. The material was therefore a fake , but Pickering appreciated its attractions. The pages are, furthermore, well proportioned and the title-pages are simple and of excellent design." The set comprises: v. 1: Preface to Shakespeare / by Dr. Samuel Johnson. Tempest. Two gentlemen of Verona. Merry wives of Windsor. Twelfth night. -- v. 2: Measure for measure. Much ado about nothing. Midsummer night's dream. Love's labour's lost. -- v. 3: Merchant of Venice. As you like it. All's well that ends well. Taming of the shrew. -- v. 4: Winter's tale. Comedy of errors. Macbeth. King John. -- v. 5: King Richard II. King Henry IV, part 1. King Henry IV, part 2. Henry V. -- v. 6: King Henry VI, part 1. King Henry VI, part 2. King Henry VI, part 3. King Richard III. -- v. 7: King Henry VIII. Troilus and Cressida. Timon of Athens. Julius Caesar. -- v. 8: Coriolanus. Antony and Cleopatra. Cymbeline. -- v. 9: Titus Andronicus. Pericles. King Lear. -- v. 10: Romeo and Juliet. Hamlet. Othello. -- v. 11: Venus and Adonis. Rape of Lucrece. Sonnets. Passionate pilgrim. Lover's complaint. Glossary. Frontispece portrait of Shakespeare present but bound in Volume II rather than I and somewhat foxed, 'Brown AP' written on front free endpaper of Volume I, joints and extremities rubbed with some wear, bindings firm, rear board of volume I faded, front board of Volume III stained, contents generally clean with occasional minor spotting and minor marks, a Good set. Corrigenda leaves are present at the ends of volumes VI-IX. Seller Inventory # ABE-60746
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