"IN ADMIRABLE TASTE, CLEAR TO READ": HANDSOME 1798-1800 EDITION OF SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS
SHAKESPEARE, William. The Plays of William Shakespeare. London: Printed by T. Bensley, (1798)-1800. Twelve volumes. 12mo, period-style half speckled calf retaining 19th-century marbled boards, red and green morocco spine labels, vellum corners.
Harding's edition of Shakespeare's plays, handsomely bound.
"Harding's 12-volume duodecimo edition is in admirable taste, printed by Bensley; clear to read… Rowe's Life, Farmer's essay on Shakespeare's Learning, a Glossary, and before each play the 'Observations' as in Johnson and Steevens 1793" (Franklin, Shakespeare Domesticated, 50). "Probably the plays were published separately for playgoers, having independent paginations and distinct dates 1798-99. The general title page is dated 1800" (Jaggard, 508). Harding's edition was issued both with and without engravings, as noted on page cxl of Volume I; the present set is not illustrated. Jaggard, 508.
Interiors generally clean, bindings about-fine and handsome.