THE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. Illustrated. Folios. First Edition Edited by Charles and Mary Cowden Clark. Complete in 3 volumes by Shakespeare, William; [Charles and Mary Cowden Clark (Editors.)] - [Circa 1868.]

London: Cassell, Petter & Galpin, [Circa 1868.]. FIRST EDITION OF CHARLES AND MARY COWDEN CLARKE'S SHAKESPEARE.. The Plays of William Shakespeare - Edited and Annotated by Charles and Mary Cowden Clarke - Illustrated by H.C. Selous. Complete in 3 volumes. FOLIO SIZED. These measure just under 13 inches tall. These are roughly 2 inches thick. Each book weighs roughly 9 pounds, unpacked. Heavily illustrated with full page plates, protected in tissue. Bound in quality morocco leather bindings. Thick beveled covers with raised hubs on the spine. Gilded spine with gilded covers. All edges are gilded. Printed on thick quality paper. Decorative borders surrounding the text on each page. Well laid out. In excellent condition. Very fresh and well preserved. The hinges are all strongly attached, although there is some rubbing/abrasion, as shown. Some general rubs / shelf wear. Internally very fresh and well preserved. Some minor foxing more prevalent upfront. The hinges are extra reinforced internally by the publisher's. No previous signs of ownership. An important and impressive set of Shakespeare. These are Folios, at just under 13 inches tall. A highly important 19th century work on Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Cowden Clarke. Charles' father, John Clarke, was a schoolmaster in Clarke's Academy in Enfield Town, among whose pupils was John Keats. Charles Clarke taught Keats his letters, and encouraged his love of poetry. He knew Charles and Mary Lamb, and afterwards became acquainted with Shelley, Leigh Hunt, Coleridge and Hazlitt. Clarke became a music publisher in partnership with Alfred Novello, and married in 1828 his partner's sister, Mary Victoria (1809-1898), the eldest daughter of Vincent Novello, who was to become known for her Concordance to Shakespeare, a work that she began in the year following their marriage. Cowden Clarke published many useful books, and edited the text for John Nichol's edition of the British poets. His most important work consisted of lectures delivered between 1834 and 1856 on Shakespeare and other literary subjects. Some of the more notable series were published, among them being Shakespeare's Characters, chiefly those subordinate (1863), and Moliere's Characters (1865). In 1859 he published a volume of original poems, Carmina Minima. For some years after their marriage the Cowden Clarkes lived with the Novellos in London. In 1849 Vincent Novello with his wife moved to Nice, where he was joined by the Cowden Clarkes in 1856. After his death they lived at Genoa at the "Villa Novello." They collaborated in The Shakespeare Key, unlocking the Treasures of his Style ... (1879), and in an edition of Shakespeare for Messrs Cassell, which was issued in weekly parts, and completed in 1868. For some years after their marriage the Cowden Clarkes lived with the Novellos in London. In 1849 Vincent Novello with his wife moved to Nice, where he was joined by the Cowden Clarkes in 1856. After his death they lived at Genoa at the "Villa Novello." They collaborated in The Shakespeare Key, unlocking the Treasures of his Style ... (1879), and in an edition of Shakespeare for Messrs Cassell, which was issued in weekly parts, and completed in 1868. The couple's annotated edition of Shakespeare's plays for Cassell & Co was published in weekly numbers, from February 1864 to March 1868, and was reissued in three volumes as Cassell's Illustrated Shakespeare, with illustrations by H. C. Selous. DNB This set would make an excellent gift and/or addition to any fine library. In addition to their shelf presence, antiquarian books make an excellent investment. We always pack very securely to help ensure safe handling during transit. All books are individually wrapped and are always professionally padded. We offer a full refund guarantee, per our terms described on our site, with notification of such intent requested. Please contact us with any inquiries.