The Works of Shakespear. In eight Volumes. Collated and corrected by the former Editions, by Mr.Pope. Printed from his second Edition.

SHAKESPEARE, William; Alexander POPE, editor.

Published by Glasgow, Robert and Andrew Foulis, 1766., 1766

About this Item

Eight vols, 12mo, with engraved frontispiece from the 8vo edition; somewhat foxed; else a very good set in contemporary German light brown paper-covered boards, sewn two-on on 3 sunken cords, gilt paper labels to spines; boards a little worn and soiled; early inscriptions 'Chr.Woertz' and 'Peppy' (and variations thereon) to front pastedowns.First and only Foulis edition, issued in both duodecimo and octavo formats, of the collected plays of Shakespeare, a curious and charming set in characteristically German trade bindings of the period. Based on Pope's pioneering edition of the 1720s, the present edition was put forth by the Glasgow-based Foulis brothers, leading publishers of the Scottish Enlightenment, who were then attempting to break London's monopoly on the printing of English authors. Evidently our set was soon exported abroad, however, for it survives in hollow-backed boards typical of the contemporary trade in Germany, where Bardolatry was just beginning to bloom. ESTC N25946; Gaskell 460, 12mo 'issue' (recte edition, with minor differences in collation). Language: English.

Seller Inventory # E6890

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Works of Shakespear. In eight Volumes. Collated and corrected by the former Editions, by Mr.Pope. Printed from his second Edition.
• Publisher: Glasgow, Robert and Andrew Foulis, 1766.
• Publication Date: 1766
• Binding: Hardcover