[WORKS] The Comedies, Histories, Tragedies and Poems of William Shakspere Edited by Charles Knight

12 volumes. A very early edition, being the second, of Knight?s highly important Shakespeare. With handsome engraved illustrations throughout the text. Tall 8vos, in very proper and attractive full contemporary calf, the spines richly gilt decorated in compartments between gilt stippled bands, two compartments with contrasting dark brown and red morocco labels lettered and decorated in gilt, the boards with gilt ruled frames, gilt decorated edges and blind rolled turn-ins, the endleaves and all edges finely marbled. A very fine and handsome set, internally fresh and clean with no foxing or spotting at all, text firm and appearing unread, the binding sturdy and very attractive with solid hinges and only the most minor of evidence of shelving at the tips and edges, uncommonly fresh and well preserved.

Edizione: a fine early set of knight?s important edition. it contains knight?s excellent preface, dedications and all the notes on various readings and indexes. the vignette style engravings found throughout the plays are a delightful addition as well.<br> "the text given by mr. knight. is founded upon the most careful collations; and a reason is assigned in those editions for every deviation from the received text of the modern copies. to print the text of the words of shakespeare, such as we may judge that it proceeded from his pen, so as to make his real words accessible to all, is the object.?