Shakespeare, William. Plays of Shakespeare. Pickering, William [publisher]. London. 1825. 9 miniature volumes.

Shakespeare, William Plays of Shakespeare. Pickering, William [publisher]. London. 1825. 9 volumes. From the text of Johnson, Steevens, & Reed. Printer's name from colophon, volume 9. This collected set in 9 volumes was originally issued in several bindings -"1) in red cloth, paper labels, at £2 17s, or 2) in morocco at, £4 7s. Also issued without the engravings"-Keynes. This set issued without engravings. With the individual volume pagination and title pages. Decorated endpapers in green with pattern of gilt asterisks or stars. All edges gilt. 47 x 84mm. Original brown morocco. Sumptuous, contemporary and uniform bindings with Shakespeare's bust on upper cover, mitre pannelled with cornerpieces in gilt and his initials in the form of an intaglio signet ring, similarly mitre panneled with cornerpieces in gilt on the back cover. Spines in compartments with gilt titling, volume numbers and rich decoration (gilt on spine faded). Bondy, 88. Edison, 50. Nauroy, 95. Spielmann, 456. Welsh, 6309. OCLC, 960073302. WorldCat locates 52 copies worldwide. 19 firsts2024. Not part of the sale is the photographed antique wooden lacquered box decorated with cranes and foliage; it was not originally retailed with the books but remains a beautiful contemporary display box and available for an additional £100 if required.