[The Works]. The National Shakespeare. A Facsimile of the Text of the First Folio of 1623. SHAKESPEARE, William. BINDINGS & SETS,LITERATURE

FIRST EDITION THUS. "SPECIAL EDITION" WITH INDIA-PROOF IMPRESSIONS OF THE PLATES AND IN THE DELUXE MOROCCO BINDING. 3 vols. Folio (41 x 26 cm). Publishers' original full dark green morocco over thick boards, spines with raised bands and stamped in blind and gilt, covers similarly stamped with large armorial designs placed within a bevelled oval deeply recessed at centre of each board, narrow strapwork framing above and below, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt, other edges uncut. Illustrated with 23 photogravure plates after Sir J. Noel Paton R.S.A. et al. Occasional light foxing mainly to versos of some of the plates, generally a handsome set. A facsimile of the First Folio text, this a "Special Edition" with India-proof impressions of the plates and in the deluxe binding. "The publisher of the "NATIONAL SHAKESPEARE" has.undertaken the task of reproducing this valuable work in a manner which he hopes may be found worthy of England's National Poet, as well as of the taste and art of the present day. The text will be a scrupulously accurate reproduction of the original, including all those peculiarities of paging, spelling, and punctuation to which so much interest is now attached. It will be printed in a special antique type, such as was actually employed in the 'First Folio,' upon hand-made paper, with rough edges, specially manufactured for this work, to maintain the antique character of the edition. The illustrations are from the pencil of one of our most distinguished living artists. In their reproduction advantage has been taken of a new and beautiful process of photographic engraving, by which perfect facsimiles of the original drawings can be produced. Each engraving thus becomes a work of art in a higher sense than could ever be produced by the earlier methods of engraving. They will be printed with every precaution to secure perfection of workmanship, and will comprise a series of Twenty specially executed illustrations of Shakespeare's plays, besides photographic reproductions of the most interesting and authentic portraits of the great dramatist. This Edition de Luxe will be published in Three Volumes, richly bound in cloth, with gilt tops and rough edges, price Three Pounds Ten Shillings per Volume. A special edition, with India-proof impressions of the engravings, will also be published in Three Volumes, beautifully bound in morocco, price Five Guineas per Volume".