A Striking and Finely Bound 8 Book Set of Bowdler's Family Shakspeare Dated 1827

The Family Shakspeare edited by Thomas Bowdler and his sister Henrietta (“Harriet”) has material considered objectionable or unsuitable for young or female audiences removed. The first edition was published in 1807 and contained 20 plays whereas this fifth edition contains all 36 plays. Editions from 1847 were changed to Shakespeare as opposed to the earlier use of Shakspeare reflecting the then standard recognised spelling of the Bard’s name.

This beautiful set, complete in 8 uniformly bound volumes, is of half crushed morocco with marbled boards, pages edges and end papers. The spines are arranged in 6 compartments by 5 raised bands and are profusely decorated in gilt. The set is bound by Birdsall of Northampton which was established in 1792 when William Birdsall (c.1750-1826) bought the bookselling and bookbinding business of John Lacy and Son in Northampton. The bookbinding operation became the firm’s core business under Anthony Birdsall the elder (1819-1893) and for some 100 years from the mid-nineteenth century the firm became one of the major bookbinders in Great Britain and traded until 1961.

The volumes are tightly bound with generally clean and bright interiors save for some marks and light foxing although the preliminaries and last few pages are all foxed. There is cockling to the pages throughout and occasional creased corners. Externally shelf wear to the extremities including bumping to some corners, rubbing to boards and a few minor marks. There is some very minor loss to the gilding which otherwise remains bright and fresh. Some 3 cm of light cracking to the top hinge of volume V.

Each volume is some 22.2 cm high, 14.7 cm deep and the overall shelf coverage is about 23 cm. The set has an unpackaged weight of approximately 4.6 kgs.

We currently only trade on-line and are very pleased to receive enquiries by email, whatsapp or phone.

Carefully packed delivery to mainland UK is included in the list price. Quotes can be arranged for overseas shipping but only to the USA, Canada, UAE, Australia and countries within the EU.

In the unlikely event that a buyer wishes to return an item a full refund will be given on the understanding that we must by notified by email of a return within 7 days of receipt. The buyer will be fully responsible for the insured return postage and packaging costs and the item must be returned in the same condition as sold.

Payment by bank transfer, cheque, Paypal, credit or debit card. Items will be reserved whilst funds are being cleared.