The works of Mr. William Shakespear : in nine volumes : adorn'd with cuts / revis'd and corrected, with an account of the life and writings of the author, by N. Rowe, Esq.

Plays. 1709

London : Printed for Jacob Tonson, within Grays-Inn Gate, next Grays-Inn Lane, MDCCIX [1709]

9 v. : ill., port (engravings) ; 24 cm (8vo)

The first edition published after the four folios; the text is based on the fourth folio.
Contains the plays only.
This is the 9-volume large paper issue (gutter margin 16 mm minimum and 22.5 cm text block height minimum) from the same sheets as Rowe's 1709 large paper issue in 6 volumes, with cancel volume and general title pages. According to Ford, there were probably no more than half a dozen copies issued in 9 volumes.
With a general title page in v. 1; each volume with a volume title page; each play with an individual play title page with the imprint: Printed in the year 1709.
v. 1. Signatures: pi² A⁴ a-b⁸ c⁴ B-R⁸ S⁸ (-S8). Pagination: [12], XL, 269, [1] p., [7] leaves of plates -- v. 2. Signatures: pi1 S8 T-2G⁸, B-I⁸ K1. Pagination: [5], 274-593, [1] p., [6] leaves of plates -- v. 3. Signatures: pi1 K⁸ (-K1) L-2K⁸. Pagination: [5], 598-975, [1] p., [6] leaves of plates -- v. 4. Signatures: pi1 B-2C⁸. Pagination: [5], 980-1375, [1] p., [6] leaves of plates -- v. 5. Signatures: pi1 2D-2N⁸, B-S⁸. Pagination: [5], 1380-1806, [2], [6] leaves of plates -- v. 6. Signatures: pi1 T-2L⁸ 2M⁴, B-F⁸ G1,2. Pagination: [7], 1814-2155, [1] p., [5] leaves of plates -- v. 7. Signatures: pi1 G⁸ (-G1,2) H-2B⁸ 2C⁸ (-2C6-8). Pagination: [5], 2160-2466 p., [5] leaves of plates -- v. 8. Signatures: pi1 2C⁸ (-2C1-5). 2D-2O⁸, A⁸ (-A1,2) B-M⁸ N1,2. Pagination: [5], 2470-2647, [4], 2656-2843, [1] p., [4] leaves of plates -- v. 9. Signatures: pi1 N⁸ (-N1,2) O-2N⁸. Pagination: [5], 2848-3324 p., [8] leaves of plates.
Engraved frontispiece plates lettered: M. Vdr. Gucht sculp.; frontispiece included in each volume. Engraved portrait (v. 1) lettered: B. Arlaud del., G. Duchange scul., Mr. William Shakespear, p. 1 in the life. Engravings for plays lettered for pagination, attributed to artist Boitard and engraver Kirkall (see H.A. Hammelmann, Shakespeare's first illustrators, Apollo, supplement "notes on British art" p. 1-4, August 1968).
The Arlaud-Duchange portrait was issued in v. 1 of the large paper issues in 6 v. and in 9 v. of Tonson's 1709 works of Shakespeare. It was not executed and added later, as claimed by Ford (See Dawson, G.E. The Arlaud-Duchange portrait of Shakespeare. The Library, 1935, s4-XVI (3): 290-294).
Paged continuously; numerous errors in paging. Some direction lines and "end of volume" statements correspond to the 1709 large paper issue of Rowe's works in 6 v. rather than to this 9-v. issue.
Not in ESTC [02 August 2011]
Not in Jaggard, W. Shakespeare bibliography.

Copy 4. Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, 2010. Lost at Sea.

Ford, H.L. Shakespeare 1700-1740, p. 9

Great Britain -- England -- London.

PR2752 1709b copy 1 Sh.Col.

Armorial bookplate (motto: Pax in bello): Leeds. Folger official card states "former owner Duke of Leeds, probably William Congreve copy." Bound in calf with gold filleting and corner ornaments, and marbled endpapers; v. 1 and 9 rebacked.

5.20.46

PR2752 1709b copy 2 Sh.Col.

Imperfect: lacking v. 4; v. 4 of the 1709 2nd issue in 6 volumes [PR2752 1709c c.2 v.4 Sh.Col.] bound uniformly and shelved near this copy (cataloged separately). Vol. 1 lacking Arlaud-Duchange portrait; v. 2 lacking frontispiece. Autographs: "Richd. Alexr. Oswald, 9 vols., Auchincruive"; D.F. (v.5). Bookseller's note removed from v. 1 to curatorial file. Full calf binding with gold tooled border and flower ornaments in corners. Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Folger.

cs1918

PR2752 1709b copy 3 v.1 Sh.Col.

Imperfect: v. 1 only. The gift of Henry N. Paul. In full calf with blind tooled border and acorn ornaments in corners, marbled paper endpapers and gilt edges.

No case or acc. number present

PR2752 1709b copy 4 Sh.Col.

Imperfect: lacking v. 9. Bookseller's shipping labels to Mr. Folger removed to curatorial file. In Cambridge-style binding; v.2,7,8 rebacked. Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Folger.

cs918