Shakespeare Memorial. 1564-1864
London: S.O. Beeton, 1864. First edition. Hardcover. Large Folio. 11 1/4 x 15". Light burgundy-brown pebbled cloth boards with decorative gilt ruling, tooling, motifs and lettering on the front cover. Beveled edges. Illustrated title page and frontispiece. This memorial and commemorative publication was issued on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare. The publication serves as an illustrated biography of Shakespeare, including text derived from a multitude of sources, accompanied throughout with small as well as full page b/w steel plate engravings after showing various historical locations and figures related to Shakespeare's life. There are also reproductions of original signatures and historical documents throughout. A various points throughout the book there are a total of 4 chromo-lithographic plates (including the frontispiece) in hues of yellow and orange, red and brown, after original illustrations of scenes from the Bard's work, by John Gilbert (1817 - 1897), all mounted on heavy stock paper.
Binding loose. Rubbing, bumping, sunning and chipping to the spine and the edges of the covers. Interior with frontispiece and title page detached but present. Sporadic minor to light water stains throughout, mostly to the edges of pages, with most images (including plates) still clean and bright. Water staining to the edges of interior covers. Binding in good-, interior in good condition overall. g- to g. Item #46378
Price: $95.00