The Dramatick Writings of Will. Shakspere. (Bell's Edition of Shakspere). With the Notes of all the various Commentators; Printed Complete from the Best Editions of Sam. Johnson and Geo. Stevens. In 20 Volumes.

London.: Printed for John Bell., 1788. An attractive 20 volume set in contemporary matching tree calf bindings, with gilt ruled borders, spine decorations & title labels. Volumes 1 & 2: Prolegomena to the Dramatick Writings. Volumes 3-20: The Plays. Each Play has between 2 to 4 engraved portraits of prominant actors. All seems complete, with engravings & half titles all present. Each Play has a separate titlepage dated 1785 to 1788. Vol 1: Prolegomena. With an engraved portrait frontispeice of Shakespeare, & other engraved plates. Includes Prefaces by Pope, Theobald, Hanmer, Warburton & Dr Johnson. Advertisement to the Second Edition by Mr Stevens. An Essay on the Origin of the English Stage, etc. Vol 2: Prolegomena. With portrait engravings, including David Garrick, Shakespeare & others, with a fold out facsimile of Shakespeares Will. Malone's Chronology, List of Ancient Translations, Rowe's Life of Shakespeare, etc. Vol 3: Tempest. Two Gentlemen of Verona. Vol 5: Measure for Measure. Comedy of Errors. Vol 6: Love's Labour's Lost. Midsummer Night's Dream. Vol. 7: Merchant of Venice. As You Like It. Vol 8: Taming of the Shrew. All's Well That Ends Well. Vol 9. Twelfth Night. Winter's Tale. Vol 10: Macbeth. King John. Vol 11: King Richard The Second. King Henry IV. Part 1. Includes a fold out plate of Morris Dancers. Vol 12: King Henry IV. Part 2. King Henry V. Vol 13: King Henry VI. Part 1 & 2. Vol 14: King Henry VI. Part 3. King Richard III. Vol 15: King Henry VIII. Coriolanus. Vol 16: Julius Caesar. Antony and Cleopatra. Vol 17: Timon of Athens. King Lear. Vol 18: Hamlet. Titus Andronicus. Vol 19: Troilus and Cressida. Othello. Vol 20: Cymberline. Romeo and Juliet. Bindings are firm & generally sound, with slight wear at the spine ends on some of the volumes. A few minor splits on a couple of joints, but still firm. Slight corner wear & occasional minor scuffs & rubbing. Internally, plates are slightly age toned & browned, a few have become detached. Pages generally clean & unmarked. . Hardcover. Very Good. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall.