The Library of Shakespeare Illustrated by Jon Gilbert, George Cruikshank and R. Dudley
William Shakespeare, The Library of Shakespeare Illustrated by Jon Gilbert, George Cruikshank and R. Dudley, London: William MacKenzie, 1873-75
The collection is organized into nine divisions, which are typically bound into three volumes:
Volume I: Comedies
Division I: The Tempest, Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Twelfth Night; Pages: 1–160 including 4 colour plates, 4 monochromatic plates, numerous in-text illustrations.
Division II: Measure for Measure, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew; Pages: 161–320 including 4 colour plates, 4 monochromatic plates, numerous in-text illustrations.
Division III: The Comedy of Errors, The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Love's Labour's Lost, As You Like It; Pages: 321–396, 1–80 including 4 colour plates, 6 monochromatic plates, numerous in-text illustrations.
Volume II: Tragedies
Division IV: As You Like It (continued), The Winter's Tale, All's Well That Ends Well, Macbeth, Troilus and Cressida; Pages: 81–240 including 4 colour plates, 4 monochromatic plates, numerous in-text illustrations.
Division V: Timon of Athens, Hamlet, Cymbeline, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear; Pages: 241–406 including 4 colour plates, 4 monochromatic plates, numerous in-text illustrations.
Volume III: Histories and Poems
Divisions VI: Othello, Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra; Pages: 1–160 including 4 colour plates, 4 monochromatic plates, numerous in-text illustrations.
Divisions VII: King John, King Richard II, King Henry IV Part I, King Henry IV Part II; Pages: 161–320 including 4 colour plates, 4 monochromatic plates, numerous in-text illustrations.
Division VIII: King Henry V, King Henry VI Part I, King Henry VI Part II, King Henry VI Part III, King Richard III, King Henry VIII; Pages: 321–476, [7] including 4 colour plates, 7 monochromatic plates, numerous in-text illustrations
Division IX: Notes: Critical and Explanatory with a Life-Sketch; Pages: i–xvi, 1–62; 50; 32 including Frontispiece portrait of Shakespeare, various illustrations
Hardbound in green cloth boards with gilt title to spine and gilt illustration to covers along with blind stamped decoration to back board (each)
12.25 x 10 in (31 x 25.5 cm) (each)
The Library Shakespeare, published by William Mackenzie between 1873 and 1875, is a comprehensive collection of William Shakespeare's works, richly illustrated by prominent artists of the era: Sir John Gilbert, George Cruikshank, and R. Dudley. This edition is notable for its extensive visual content, featuring nearly 800 engravings derived from original drawings by these artists.
The ninth division includes critical and explanatory notes, along with a biographical sketch of Shakespeare. Each division begins with an introductory leaf, followed by a half-title and title page corresponding to its volume. The set is adorned with 35 tipped-in chromolithograph-coloured plates and 40 full-page tinted plates, accompanied by numerous black and white in-text illustrations. This lavish illustration work enhances the reader's engagement with Shakespeare's texts.
The illustrators contributed significantly to the visual appeal of this edition.
Sir John Gilbert: An English artist, illustrator, and engraver, Gilbert was renowned for his dynamic and detailed illustrations, which brought literary scenes to life.
George Cruikshank: A British caricaturist and book illustrator, Cruikshank earned acclaim as the "modern Hogarth" and was known for his work with authors like Charles Dickens.
R. Dudley: An English artist recognized for his contributions to book illustrations during the 19th century.
The collaboration of these artists resulted in a richly illustrated edition that offers readers a visually immersive experience of Shakespeare's works.
NON-EXPORTABLE
This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition of each book.