London: W. Bulmer and Company for John and Josiah Boydell, and George Nichol, 1802. First thus. Nine volumes. Large thick folio (each volume measures approximately 13 by 17 inches), contemporary full burgundy morocco, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated covers and spines, all edges gilt. This set with 1802 general title page for each volume, all half titles, and a complete complement of 96 folio plates, including the second frontispiece bust of Shakespeare not listed in the Directions to the Binder (not bound in this copy), which calls for 95 plates. Includes the important prefaces of Pope and Johnson. Two leaves in Volume II from Much Ado About Nothing supplied from a smaller copy. Scattered foxing, a few instances of faint dampstaining; magnificent contemporary binding with modest wear to boards. A beautiful copy of a historic edition of Shakespeare.

Among the most celebrated editions of Shakespeare, this huge undertaking put its publisher, Boydell, into bankruptcy due to the excessive cost of the production. At the Lord Mayor of London's suggestion, Parliament passed a special act allowing for a lottery which made it possible to finish the work. A truly monumental labor of devotion, all aspects of this edition are impressive. "According to the prospectus, issued in 1786, a type foundry, an ink factory, and a printing house were all specially erected for the production of this edition" (Jaggard). While Jaggard calls for 100 plates for this set, complete copies can have anywhere between 95 and 100 plates due to Boydell's inconsistent methods of assembling the volumes; 96 plates seems to be the most common plate-count. (Item #5114)