Illustrated Pocket Shakespeare.

Shakespeare, William. Illustrated Pocket Shakespeare. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1886. Date from British Museum acquisition stamp in 1886. 8 volumes edited by Talfourd Blair. Each volume with frontispiece. 516; 534; 482; 490; 496; 508; 499 and 523 printed pages including glossary at end. Printed by Robert Maclehose, Glasgow. Very uncommon. A few volumes with the odd slightly sprung gathering. Volume 1 with split at page 32/3 but still holding. Decorated endpapers. All edges red. Contemporary pencil ownership inscription on front free endpaper of volume one. Case 14 x 10 x 7.5 cm. Each volume, 67 x 93 mm. Original brown embossed cloth (front cover of volumeone scratched); spine with bust of Shakespeare surmounting list of plays and publisher all in gilt and with gilt titling cartouche above and scrolling greek key pattern in gilt at the head and tail; plain back covers but blind embossed front covers with three various decorative scenes. Box in matching clooth; lid gilt emboseed "Shakespeare" and with theatrical emblems within scrolling key border. Lacks original ribbons. Volume one with some light scratch marks, volume two with minor scattered light spots; otherwise barely any significant handling or wear. Box rather worn and split at the top hinge; slight wrinkling, rubbing all over with mild spotting at the front lower left corner. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 829710418. WorldCat locates 7 copies worldwide.