Item #133784 Shakespeares [sic] Comedies, Histories and Tragedies. Being a Reproduction in Facsimile of the First Folio Edition, 1623, from the Chatsworth copy in the Possession of the Duke of Devonshire. With Introduction and Census of Copies by Sidney Lee. William SHAKESPEARE.

SHAKESPEARE, William

Shakespeares [sic] Comedies, Histories and Tragedies. Being a Reproduction in Facsimile of the First Folio Edition, 1623, from the Chatsworth copy in the Possession of the Duke of Devonshire. With Introduction and Census of Copies by Sidney Lee

Oxford, The Clarendon Press, 1902 (facsimile edition)/ 1623.

Folio, xxxvi, 908 pages with a portrait of Shakespeare and a five-page list of subscribers.

Full reverse calf (suede), later expertly rebacked, retaining the original contrasting gilt-lettered leather title-label; leather ties possibly renewed; edges uncut; front and rear covers marked and a little worn at the extremities; original endpapers offset and a little foxed, with minimal foxing to the first and last few leaves; a very good copy (internally excellent).

Number 651 of 1000 copies signed by Sidney Lee. A note printed at the end of the introduction states that 'Reasons of space have made it necessary to print the Census of Extant Copies of the First Folio in an Appendix, which accompanies this volume in a separate cover'. It is present with this copy (folio, 47 pages; stab-sewn, uncut and partially unopened; a very good copy in a later cloth slipcase with gilt-lettered title-label). Loosely inserted is a contemporary review of the edition from 'The Athenaeum' (3 January 1903, mounted on paper).

'Though no copies of this reproduction are sent out for review, it seems well to record its appearance as an important literary event. One thousand copies only have been printed for fortunate subscribers, the whole issue having been taken up long before publication.' [2 items].