"NOT MARBLE NOR THE GILDED MONUMENTS / OF PRINCES SHALL OUTLIVE THIS POWERFUL RHYME": LOVELY FINE PRESS COPY OF SHAKESPEARE’S SONNETS

SHAKESPEARE, William. Shakespeare's Sonnets. (Boston: Copeland and Day [Harvard University Press]), 1897. Square octavo, early 20th-century half dark green morocco gilt, raised bands, top edge gilt. $950.

Lovely fine press edition of Shakespeare's Sonnets, one of only 750 copies printed on English handmade paper, the fourth and last volume in the publisher's English Love Sonnets series.

First published in 1609, the Sonnets explore pure love and devotion, infatuation, sexual attraction and conquest— and betrayal. They are "an incomparable series of poems which has no equal in world literature" (Oxquarry). The publishing firm of Copeland and Day, which was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement and William Morris's Kelmscott Press, published about 100 titles from 1893 through 1899; this handsome edition of Shakespeare's Sonnets was printed for the firm at the Harvard University Press. The text is decorated with elaborate Kelmscott-style ornamental woodcut initials and borders by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue. From a total edition of only 800 (50 copies were issued with rubricated initials). Kraus 85. Front free endpaper with inked owner name.

Minor toning to outer board edges. An excellent copy in a handsome binding.