CA. 1895
THE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
INCLUDING COMEDIES, TRAGEDIES, HISTORIES, POEMS, SONNETS, INDEX
ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN GILBERT
ENGRAVED BY THE BROS. DALZIEL
*** RARE ANTIQUE BOOK SET ~ SUPERB VICTORIAN CLOTH FINE BINDING ~ EXQUISITELY ILLUSTRATED ~ CLASSIC ~ OVER 750 ILLUSTRATIONS ***
Full title: Pearson's Shakespeare; Edited by Howard Staunton; The illustrations by Sir John Gilbert, R.A.; Engraved by the Brothers Dalziel. In three Volumes.
London: C. Arthur Pearson, Ltd., no date, circa 1895. Routledge binding.
• three volume set
• each book measures about 10'' x 7''
• original publisher's decorative orange cloth Victorian fine binding
• beveled edges to boards
• ornate embossed stamping in gold gilt and black
• blind stamping to rear
• frontispiece to Volume I
• illustrated with over 750 engravings including full-page plates and vignettes
Sir John Gilbert (1817-1897) worked at 'Punch' and was elected to the Royal Academy.
The Brothers Dalziel (1839-1906) was a prolific company of engravers consisting of four brothers.
Howard Staunton (1810-1874) was regarded as the strongest chess player in the world in the mid-nineteenth century. He popularized the moves known as 'The English Opening' and 'Staunton Gambit.' He retired from competitive chess in 1851 and devoted himself to writing about chess and William Shakespeare.
Sir Arthur Pearson (1866-1921) was a journalist for the London-based publisher George Newnes. In 1890 Pearson left Newnes to form his own publishing business created the periodical journal 'Pearson's Weekly.' A philanthropist, in 1892 he established the charitable 'Fresh Air Fund,' still in operation and now known as 'Pearson's Holiday Fund.'
