[Shakespeare] Boydell | A collection of prints... dramatic works of Shakespeare, 1803, 2 vols, red morocco

[Shakespeare] John and Josiah Boydell

A collection of prints, from pictures painted for the purposes of illustrating the dramatic works of Shakspeare, by the artists of Great-Britain. London: John and Josiah Boydell, 1803 [preface dated 1805]

2 volumes, large folio (690 x 505mnm.), engraved frontispiece portrait of George III in volume 1, engraved frontispiece of Shakespeare in volume 1, engraved frontispiece portrait of Queen Charlotte in volume 2, engraved vignette on title-pages, 45+50 engraved plates, contemporary red straight-grained morocco gilt, spines gilt in compartments, gilt edges, a few small marginal tears, occasional light foxing, one tissue guard torn, front flyleaf in volume 1 torn, extremities rubbed

A set of magnificent plates reproducing paintings based on scenes from Shakespeare, commissioned by John Boydell from various artists (in particular Robert Smirke, William Hamilton, Richard Westall and Francis Wheatley) for his Shakespeare Gallery. The previous year Boydell had published the text of Shakespeare accompanied by smaller format engravings of these same paintings.