The Histories & Poems Of Shakespeare
Prepared by W.J. Craig
Published at University Press: Oxford 1915
Prize Leather Bindings With Marbled Text Block & Endpapers
"The Histories & Poems Of Shakespeare is an elegant early twentieth-century Oxford University Press edition bringing together many of the great historical plays and poetic works of William Shakespeare in a finely produced scholarly volume. Prepared by noted Shakespearean editor W. J. Craig and incorporating introductory studies by the distinguished literary critic Edward Dowden, the book reflects the high editorial standards and literary scholarship associated with Oxford editions of the period. Published in 1915, it presents Shakespeare's works in a refined and highly readable format intended for both academic and personal library use.
Particularly striking is the handsome full prize leather binding, richly decorated in gilt with ornate spine tooling and decorative borders, complemented by beautiful marbled endpapers and a marbled text block. The volume has the distinguished appearance of a high-quality Edwardian school or college prize book, further enhanced by the original Ruxton prize presentation plate dated December 1917. Such bindings were produced to reward academic excellence and remain highly sought after today for their craftsmanship, decorative appeal and historical character.
Containing Shakespeare's celebrated histories together with his poems and supported by a full glossary and scholarly introductions, this substantial Oxford edition would make a fine addition to any antiquarian library or Shakespeare collection. The combination of classic Oxford scholarship, attractive period leather binding and original prize provenance gives the book strong decorative and collectible appeal, particularly for admirers of early twentieth-century educational and literary publishing."
General wear and fading to covers and spine with some surface damage to back cover as shown. Ruyton prize plate present. Pages clean, crisp and bright. A stunning copy in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
