The Works of William Shakespeare (Large Paper Edition)
William Shakespeare; Edited by Richard Grant White
📚 Genre
Drama / Poetry / Classic Literature
🏢 Publisher
Little, Brown, and Company (Boston); Printed by University Press: Welch, Bigelow, and Company (Cambridge)
📅 Publication Year
1854 (Copyright) / 1857-1865 (Typical set release period for this edition)
🔢 ISBN
N/A (Pre-ISBN Era)
About This Book
A scholarly critical edition of Shakespeare's complete works. The image shows the copyright verso page of a volume from a 'Large Paper' set, which featured wider margins and higher-quality paper than the trade edition. This edition was edited by the prominent American Shakespearean scholar Richard Grant White.
Book Details
Language
English (Middle/Early Modern)
Pages
Approximately 400-600 pages per volume (multi-volume set)
Edition
Large Paper Limited Edition, Set No. 73 of 100
Series
Typically part of a 12-volume set
Target Audience
Scholars, bibliophiles, and 19th-century elite collectors
Collector Information
Condition
Fair to Good. Visible shelf wear and significant fraying/loss to the binding edge (hinge area). Internal pages show light foxing and toning consistent with age, but the hand-numbered '73' remains clear.
Estimated Value
$1,200 - $2,500 for a complete 12-volume set in better condition; Individual damaged volumes may range from $100 - $250.
Rarity
Very Rare. While the standard trade edition is common, this specific Large Paper printing was limited to only 100 copies world-wide, few of which remain in private hands in complete sets.
Historical Significance
Richard Grant White was a leading figure in 19th-century American literary criticism. This edition represent the 'gentleman's library' aesthetic of Boston's golden age of publishing, emphasizing high production standards and rigorous textual editing.
Collector Notes
Collectibility is heavily dependent on the set being complete (all 12 volumes). The visible damage to the spine/hinge significantly lowers the value. Collectors should look for original cloth or leather bindings and ensure that the 'No. 73' matches across all volumes in the set. Store in a climate-controlled environment to prevent further foxing and leather rot.
Similar Books
The Works of Shakespeare by Howard Staunton; The Cambridge Shakespeare by William George Clark; Variorum Edition of Shakespeare by Horace Howard Furness
Notable Features
Hand-numbered 'No. 73' of only 100 copies produced; Large paper format; Notable American scholarship by Richard Grant White.