“PROUDLY DISPLAYED IN THE LIBRARIES OF THE GREAT AND FASHIONABLE”: SPLENDID QUARTO FIRST EDITION SET OF HANMER’S IMPORTANT 1743 SHAKESPEARE
SHAKESPEARE, William. The Works of Shakespear. Oxford: Printed at the Theatre, 1743-44. Six volumes. Quarto, contemporary full mottled calf rebacked with original gilt-decorated spines laid down, raised bands.
First edition of Sir Thomas Hanmer’s famous illustrated set of Shakespeare’s plays—“artistically the most delightful edition”—with copper-engraved frontispiece portrait, two plates of the Westminster and Stratford monuments and 36 copper-engraved plates, one for each play, by Hubert Gravelot after Francis Hayman, all valuable for their depictions of 18th-century costume, in attractive contemporary mottled calf.
"Artistically the most delightful edition of Shakespeare" (Franklin, 31). According to Dibdin, Hanmer's was the first Shakespeare "which appeared in any splendid typographical form. The first edition was a popular book and was proudly displayed in the libraries of the great and fashionable." It was also the first edition of the Bard's plays published at Oxford at the university press. Artist Francis Hayman was "the most proficient English illustrator of his time" (Ray, 5). His friend and collaborator, engraver Hubert Gravelot (who actually drew five of the illustrations himself under the pressure of time), was "one of the finest engravers and teachers of engraving" (Hodnett, 75). Contains Pope's Preface and Rowe's account of Shakespeare's life. With engraved general title page vignette, two plates of the Westminster and Stratford monuments, 36 copper-engraved plates—one for each play—and decorative engraved tailpieces throughout. Jaggard, 499. Grolier, Shakespeare's Plays 11. Lowndes, 2260. Bookplate.
Occasional light foxing; expert restoration to bindings. A handsome and impressive set of this justly famous and beautiful printing.