The Plays ...

First Edition edited by Dr Johnson, the first variorum edition, and the foundation text of modern Shakespearean scholarship. Jaggard notes that Johnson seems to have earned in excess of £1,300 for his editorial work. This is the true first edition, distinguishable from the reprint of the same year by Johnson’s preface being unpaged and without Longman’s name in the imprints of vols. I and II.

8 vols., 8vo. Mid 19th-century contemporary half calf, spine gilt in compartments, double green morocco labels, marbled sides, endpapers and edges. Portrait frontispiece, no half-titles. First title inscribed “The Gift of John Stedman to his Niece Elizabeth Bogue June 2nd. 1825. Æta. 8” slightly shaved by the binder, other volumes with inscriptions of Elizabeth Stedman. Rubbed, some foxing, chiefly marginal, still a good firm set.