The Plays And Poems Of William Shakespeare, [ 11 Volumes , 1825 ] Shakespeare, W. ; Johnson, S. English Literature

11 volumes, 19th century half-calf and boards, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, 8vo, 20cm, l [=50], 382 + 407, [1] + 427, [1] + 395, [1] + 481, [1] + 510, [1] + 469, [2] + 436, [1] + 349, [2] + 412, [1] + 282 pp, one frontispiece portrait. An attractive Pickering edition which includes a long preface by Samuel Johnson. Writing of this and other sets in Pickering's 'Wreath Series', the bibliographer Geoffrey Keynes observed: "They .possess in common an exceedingly pleasant format, and on their title-pages is his beautiful and individual wreath ornament usually with the motto : Perennis el fragrant. . These volumes, although not showing such a high level of press-work as is found in Pickering’s later books, do nevertheless include some of the most attractive books which he ever produced. Some are printed on excellent laid paper, but the majority [including the Shakespeare] are on wove of the variety known as ‘ribbed’. This paper, now no longer made, was much in favour at that time and certainly produces a very pleasing effect. The paper was subjected, while soft, to pressure so that a ribbed surface was obtained resembling that of laid paper. The material was therefore a ‘fake’, but Pickering appreciated its attractions. The pages are, furthermore, well proportioned and the title-pages are simple and of excellent design." The set comprises: v. 1: Preface to Shakespeare / by Dr. Samuel Johnson. Tempest. Two gentlemen of Verona. Merry wives of Windsor. Twelfth night. -- v. 2: Measure for measure. Much ado about nothing. Midsummer night's dream. Love's labour's lost. -- v. 3: Merchant of Venice. As you like it. All's well that ends well. Taming of the shrew. -- v. 4: Winter's tale. Comedy of errors. Macbeth. King John. -- v. 5: King Richard II. King Henry IV, part 1. King Henry IV, part 2. Henry V. -- v. 6: King Henry VI, part 1. King Henry VI, part 2. King Henry VI, part 3. King Richard III. -- v. 7: King Henry VIII. Troilus and Cressida. Timon of Athens. Julius Caesar. -- v. 8: Coriolanus. Antony and Cleopatra. Cymbeline. -- v. 9: Titus Andronicus. Pericles. King Lear. -- v. 10: Romeo and Juliet. Hamlet. Othello. -- v. 11: Venus and Adonis. Rape of Lucrece. Sonnets. Passionate pilgrim. Lover's complaint. Glossary. Frontispece portrait of Shakespeare present but bound in Volume II rather than I and somewhat foxed, 'Brown AP' written on front free endpaper of Volume I, joints and extremities rubbed with some wear, bindings firm, rear board of volume I faded, front board of Volume III stained, contents generally clean with occasional minor spotting and minor marks, a Good set. Corrigenda leaves are present at the ends of volumes VI-IX.