THE WORKS

London: Macmillan and Co, 1902-05. The "Cambridge Edition.. 235 x 159 mm. (9 1/4 x 6 1/4"). Nine volumes. Edited by William Aldis Wright.
Very appealing olive brown half morocco over green linen by Zaehnsdorf (stamp-signed on verso of front free endpaper), raised bands, spines gilt in double-ruled compartments with dotted inner frame and floral cornerpieces as well as large central ornament formed by two crossed swords, a crown, and a garland, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt, other edges rough trimmed (volume I with front joint very expertly renewed). Jaggard, p. 699 (1897 ed.). ◆Spines uniformly sunned to a very pleasing honey brown, first volume with shallow chipping at top of spine and with one band a little abraded, otherwise only trivial defects, the bindings in all other ways showing only very minor signs of use, and the text quite clean and fresh.

First published in 1863-66, and with revised editions issued in 1867 and 1891, the acclaimed Cambridge edition of Shakespeare is generally acknowledged as the standard text of England's greatest dramatist. According to DNB, editor William Aldis Wright (1831-1914) "was the first editor to give due attention to the Elizabethan usage of words, and the value of this series has been acknowledged by many later editors. It was in his nature to be silent about poetic beauty and dramatic genius; but learning, accuracy, and common sense combined to make him one of Britain's greatest Shakespearean scholars." Our set has the added attraction of pretty bindings by Zaehnsdorf that reflect the firm's usual high quality materials and workmanship..