The Works of Mr. William Shakespear. Volume the First. Containing The Tempest, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Measure for Measure, Comedy of Errors, Much Ado about Nothing, Love’s Labour’s Lost [Shakespeare]

The first volume of the first edition of Shakespeare’s works to appear after the four Folio Editions of the seventeenth century and the very first illustrated edition which has been described by a recent scholar as an 'inaugurating moment'. The publisher Jacob Tonson and the book’s editor Nicholas Rowe achieve their preeminence among Shakespeare printers and editors through a series of innovations: here we learn for the first time where scenes from the dramas actually take place - Lear's Heath is named, for example. The text gives characters the names we know them by, such as Puck, and divides acts and scenes, as well as making hundreds of emendations to the text. There is modern punctuation and, crucially, this is the first illustrated edition, with a handsome engraving placed before each play.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early 18th century panelled calf binding, recently refurbished in sympathetic and stylish fashion; paper reinforcement to the inner hinges. The book collates complete: [xii], xl, pp 1-464. 9 Plates including the full-page engraving of Shakespeare opposite the title page. Erased ownership signature to the title page; following leaves trimmed slightly narrower than text block; Shakespeare memorial plate is loose; a little dustiness to the text but otherwise very good; old staining to the final play in the volume, Love’s Labour’s Lost. Large Octavo; text-block 23cm x 13cm. ESTC: T138296. The order of the dramas appears as in the Folios.