Lot Details & Additional Photographs
William Shakespeare. THE SHAKESPEARE GALLERY.
A Collection of Scenes and Characters from Famous Paintings by Eminent Artists each Subject Being Chosen by the Artist Himself as a Work of Art Entitling it to a Place in The Royal Academy Exhibitions as well as Authentic Character Portraits of Celebrated Shakespearean Actors and Actresses. The Royal Academy Series. London, Montreal, and Philadelphia: The Royal Shakespearean Society, 1908. (8) volumes (out of 10); Group I-VIII. Full crimson levant morocco, the covers with green onlaid corner pieces, gilt lettering, and gilt-stamped decoration featuring an armorial centerpiece and theatrical and floral motifs, the spine with gilt compartments and lettering, and raised bands, all edges gilt, with ribbon bookmark, doublures of green and crimson levant surrounding a central armorial family crest (front) and theatrical scene (rear), and green silk-lined endpapers; printed on Japanese vellum paper. "This set of The Royal Academy Shakespeare Gallery Collection is made expressly for Elizabeth Stauffer Moore Greensburg, Penna. in recognition of her interest in the world's tribute to the memory of the great bard in the grand international celebration to be held on the three hundreth anniversary of Shakespeare's death." Folio; with frontispieces and plates in various states (some tipped-in, some in color), decorated initials, and with descriptive text by eminent Shakespeare scholars.
Each 14 x 11 1/8 in.
Made for Elizabeth Stauffer Moore (per presentation page)
Extremely scarce; found in just six institutions at time of review per WorldCat and according to our records sold at auction only twice since 1960.
Boards with light wear to extremities, a rare small scuff or area of discoloration, some spines subtly darkened, one volume with a small tear to leather, and Group IV with loss to a raised band (now taped); occasional light creasing to joints and a couple of volumes with a small area of cracking starting at hinge or joint; offsetting and occasional light grime or small stain, otherwise extremely clean text blocks; some wear to ribbons. Very good or better.
