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FIRST EDITION. 12mo, 173 x 111 mms., pp. [viii], 317 [318 blank, 319 Epilogus, 32o blank]; [ii], [5] 6 - 352; [iv], [7] 8 - 337 [338 blank, 339 ms. "The Epilogue," 340 blank], including half-title in volume 1, 3 woodcut illustrations in volume 1 bound in contemporyar half plum morocco, marbled boards, gilt spines; some minor foxing, very slight wear to binding, but a very good set with the book label of the Weston Old Rectory on the front paste-down end-paper of each volume. The Anglican priest Thomas Hawkins (1729 - 1772) edited the second edition of Thomas Hanmer's edition of Shakespeare's works, which appeared in 1771. The present work appeared shortly after his death; in the course of his research for the Hanmer volumes, he also he attributed The Spanish Tragedy to Thomas Kydd, and the attribution is still accepted. Among other journals, The Monthly Review for 1773 asserted that "These specimens will be very acceptable to a new species of antiquarians, which have lately sprung up among us, and who would catch at a pun of Chaucer's with the same avidity that a learned society would purchase his old shoe. Mr. Hawkins.has selected his specimens with judgment, and his observations are judicious and pertinent." The Critical Review, probably by Tobias Smollett, embarked upon specific commentaries on most of the plays and concluded: "These pieces were printed off; and nothing remained, except committing the dedication and the preface, already finished, to the press, when a violent disorder put a period to the life and labours of the learned and ingenious editor. We can only add, that this work appears to be executed with accuracy and judgment." i. Seller Inventory # 9851
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