The plays of William Shakspeare : accurately printed from the text of the corrected copy left by the late George Steevens, Esq. : with a series of engravings, from original designs of Henry Fuseli ... and a selection of explanatory and historical notes, from the most eminent commentators, a history of the stage, a life of Shakspeare, &c. / by Alexander Chalmers, A. M. ; in nine volumes.

The plays of William Shakspeare : accurately printed from the text of the corrected copy left by the late George Steevens, Esq. : with a series of engravings, from original designs of Henry Fuseli ... and a selection of explanatory and historical notes, from the most eminent commentators, a history of the stage, a life of Shakspeare, &c. / by Alexander Chalmers, A. M. ; in nine volumes.

Plays. 1812. Rivington

London : Printed for F., C., and J. Rivington; J. Johnson; R. Baldwin; H.L. Gardner; W., J., and J. Richardson; J. Nichols and Son; T. Payne; R. Faulder; G. and J. Robinson; W. Lowndes; G. Wilkie; Scatcherd and Letterman; T. Egerton; J. Walker; W. Clarke and Son; J. Barker and Son; D. Ogilvy and Son; Cuthell and Martin; R. Lea; P. Macqueen; Lackington, Allen and Co.; T. Kay; J. Deighton; J. White; W. Miller; Vernor and Hood; D. Walker; C. Law; B. Crosby and Co.; R. Pheney; Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme; Cadell and Davies; J. Harding; R.H. Evans; S. Bagster; J. Mawman; Blacks and Parry; J. Badcock; J. Asperne; and T. Ostell, 1805 [i.e. 1812] (London : C. Baldwin, printer, New Bridge-Street)

9 v. : ill., 1 port. (engravings) ; 23 cm (8vo)

This edition was originally issued in 1805 in two variants: in a nine-volume regular paper issue without the Fuseli engravings; and in a ten-volume large paper issue with the Fuseli engravings. In this issue, volumes 1-6 are newly printed, and v. 7-9 are identical to the 1805 regular paper issue except titles and press figures (Folger card catalog). All volume title pages are dated 1805, and the paper spine labels are dated 1812.

Printer information from v. 1 colophon, "London" follows address. Half-titles read "C. and R. Baldwin, printers."

Each volume with volume half-title and title pages; plays with divisional titles.

The prefaces of Chalmers, Johnson, and Pope, and Malone's Historical account of the English stage in v. 1. Glossarial index in v. 10.

v. 1. Tempest ; Two gentlemen of Verona ; Merry wives of Windsor
v. 2. Twelfth-night ; 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 ; Winter's tale
v. 4. Comedy of errors ; Macbeth ; King John ; King Richard II ; King Henry IV, part 1
v. 5. King Henry IV, part 2 ; Henry V ; King Henry VI, parts 1-2
v. 6. King Henry VI, part 3 ; King Richard III ; King Henry VIII ; Troilus and Cressida
v. 7. Timon of Athens ; Coriolanus ; Julius Caesar ; Antony and Cleopatra
v. 8. Cymbeline ; Titus Andronicus ; Pericles ; King Lear
v. 9. Romeo and Juliet ; Hamlet ; Othello.

copy 1 v.1-9

Great Britain -- England -- London.

PR2752 1805b copy 1 Sh.Col.

Autograph: William Peebles. Stamp: Edward Dowden Library. In original blue paper-covered boards with paper spine labels; some volumes uncut; evidence of printed waste on spines.

cs608

PR2752 1805b copy 2 Sh.Col.

Imperfect: four plays in paper wrappers: All's well that ends well (v. 3 fragment); King Henry IV, part 1 (v. 4 fragment); and King Henry VI, parts 1-2 (v. 5 fragments 1 and 2); illustrations wanting. Gift of Henry N. Paul.

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