46 (of 48) publications bound in 19 (of 20) volumes. (8vo) contemporary and later half green morocco, marbled paper boards, gilt lettering. First editions, later issue. This set lacks publication numbers 8 and 48.
The aim of the Shakespeare Society, founded in 1840 by John Payne Collier, was to publish works about Shakespeare and his time. After the winding-up of the Society, the original sheets of its Publications were re-issued with new general title-pages dated 1853.
This set consists of volumes 1-16, 18 and 19 of the 1853 re-issue, and volume 17 pt. 1 in its original 1848 issue. The bindings are mixed: volumes 1-13, 15-16 and 19 are bound in contemporary half green morocco, with marbled boards, with the motto of the Kitson and Nelson families (“Palmam qui meruit ferat”) on the front panel, and the bookplates of the New York real estate tycoon Ogden Goelet (1851-97) , whose library was sold in five sales between 1935 and 1954, and the Hollywood theatre director Jerry D. Melton (1933-2002).
Volume 14 of the re-issue has been supplied: it too is bound in contemporary half morocco and marbled boards, but has been rebacked in cloth — the original morocco spine (laid down) is almost uniform with the rest of the set. A copy of the original 1848 issue of no.39 (uncut, some browning, and a trifle taller than other volumes in the set), which forms vol.17 pt. 1 of the re-issue, has been added and bound to match.
Due to the size and/or weight of this lot extra shipping and/or handling charges may apply.