A single volume selection of plays bound up from John Bell’s 1773 Shakespeare edition including an
Introduction to Shakespeare’s Plays containing An Essay on Oratory and a
Dedication to David Garrick.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Half calf over marbled boards in good condition only showing extensive wear to the 6 panelled spine which has worn to the lower half revealing the binding beneath. Titled PLAYS 2 in gilt over red ground. Corners and edges a little knocked and scuffed as expected. Traces of previous ownership (the signature F. Chaplin and a written list of play titles) are revealed on front pastedown and front flyleaf which are otherwise clean and unmarked. Although the frontispieces to each play sit loosely within the binding the remainder of the text block is in good condition, cracking a little over the hinges but otherwise sound. Several of the frontispieces within are cropped short to the fore edge as noted on collation. Each play segment is followed by printer’s advertisements.
The content and plays contained in this collection in the order they appear are as follows:
John Bell: London, 1773. Introduction to Shakespeare’s Plays containing an Essay on Oratory including a Dedication to David Garrick and printer’s advertisements. 57 pp. Collated and complete. 2 full page plates depict Shakespeare at the Age of 40 and David Garrick. In good condition, age toned as expected, watermarked in places but not compromising the text.
John Bell: London, 1773. Romeo and Juliet, A Tragedy by Shakespeare, as Performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Regulated from the Prompt Book With Permission of the Manager, By Mr Hopkins, Prompter. Leaves numbered 83 -152. Full page frontispiece sits loose from text block and depicts the character of Mercutio. In good condition. Age toned as expected and in good condition throughout. Collated and complete.
John Bell: London, 1773. King Henry V by Shakespeare as Performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. Regulated by Mr Younger, Prompter of the Theatre. Leaves numbered 1- 80. Full page frontispiece sits loose from text block and depicts the character of Princess Catherine. Collated and complete.
John Bell: London, 1773. As You Like It. A Comedy by Shakespeare as Performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Regulated from the Prompt Book with Permission of the Managers by Mr Hopkins, Prompter. Leaves numbered 75 - 147. Full page frontispiece attached to binding only to lower few cms depicts the character of Touchstone. Collated and complete.
John Bell: London, 1773. King John, A Tragedy by Shakespeare by Shakespeare as Performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Regulated from the Prompt Book with Permission of the Managers by Mr Hopkins, Prompter. Leaves numbered 1 -64. Full page frontispiece sits loose from text block and depicts the character of Constance. In good condition. Collated and complete.
John Bell: London, 1773. King Henry VIII. By Shakespeare. As Performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. Regulated by Mr Younger, Prompter of the Theatre. Leaves numbered 1 -72. Full page frontispiece sits loose from text block and depicts Mr Clarke as Henry VIII. In good condition. Collated and complete.
John Bell: London, 1773. Julius Caesar, A Tragedy by Shakespeare. As Performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. Regulated from the Prompt Book with Permission of the Managers by Mr Younger, Prompter. Leaves numbered 1-75. Full page frontispiece sits loose from text block and depicts Mr Sheridan as Brutus. In good condition. Collated and complete.
