The Works of Shakespeare
 
Published by C Arthur Pearson, who started his publishing company in 1890 and founded the Daily Express.
 
Edited by Howard Staunton,  who was a very successful chess master in the mid 1800's.
Illustrated by John Gilbert R.A. who drew for Punch and the Illustrated
London News.
Engraved by The Brothers Dalziel, an engravers run by four brothers who
were very successful in their time.
 
This is a beautiful and prolifically illustrated set of Shakespeare's plays. There are numerous full page and half page illustrations throughout the volumes.
The volumes have no previous owners inscriptions and are undated, although they appear to be circa 1890's.
Volume I has a frontispiece of Shakespeare.
 
Binding
 
This set has been very sympathetically rebound in the same style as their old worn bindings.
They are 1/2 bound in blue goatskin leather and a red hard grained affect
paper. 
Each book has five raised bands to the spine and a title label, lettered in gold, of the same red textured paper.
Retaining their original vibrant (the head edge has darkened slightly) marbled page edges they have been given new complimentary head bands and
ribbons. 
 
Condition
 
The volumes show some light wear to the pages with some intermittent
foxing and creases to corners.
Volume I has small pen dots next to the play names in the contents page,
else internally clean.
Binding is new.
 
Volume I - 746pp
Volume II - 771pp
Volume III - 816pp (including Glossarial Index)