The National Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - 1888

Edinburgh and Dublin: William Mackenzie, 1888. Leather. Very Good. 16" by 10.5". J. Noel Paton. A complete three volume set of this special morocco bound facsimile edition of the first folio, illustrated by J. Noel Paton. Complete in three volumes, being the tragedies, histories, and comedies. A facsimile of the first folio of 1623. The special edition of this edition de luxe, bound in a full decorative morocco with India-proof impressions of the engravings. Printed in a special antique type on hand-made paper with rough edges. Dated from the British Library. The first folio published approximately seven years after Shakespeare's death, is considered one of the most influential books ever published. Containing thirty-six of the plays, the work is seen as the only reliable text for roughly twenty of the plays and a valuable source for those that had been previously published. The volume of comedies is illustrated with a frontispiece, and seven plates. Also contains a preliminary advertising leaf for the three volumes. The volume of histories is illustrated with a frontispiece, and four plates. The volume of tragedies is illustrated with a frontispiece and ten plates. Illustrated by Joseph Noel Paton, a Scottish artist, illustrator, and sculptor with an interest in folklore and Celtic legends. In the original full morocco binding. Externally, sound with rubbing to the extremities resulting in minor loss of the leather. Fading to the spine and the odd mark to the boards. A small split to the tail of the spine of the volume of tragedies. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean with the odd spot or handling mark. The odd small closed tear to the extremities and light age toning to the endpapers. Very Good