1448100 1870 Shakespeare. From the Library of Henry Irving. 7 Plays.

 

Shakespeare’s Play of A Midsummer Night’s Dream Richard II The Tempest The Winter’s Tale King Henry the Fifth King Henry the Eighth King John Arranged for Representation At the Princesses’ Theatre With Historical and Explanatory Notes By Charles Kean F.S.A.  London: John K Chapman & Co. No publication dates. A collection of Charles Kean’s Shakespeare (Second and Later Charles Kean Editions) bound in 2 volumes with Henry Irving’s signature and bookplates. First performed between 1855 and 1859. Later Editions. Seven of Shakespeare’s plays, by Charles Kean and for Representation at the Princesses Theatre, all in their original paper wrappers. Bound in two original cloth bindings with Henry Irving’s signature to one volume and his bookplate to both. More recent spines with leather labels. Spots of glue or hard resin over the signature, bookplates cut rather roughly to the edges. Both bookplate and signature can easily be searched for online and are both genuine. Sir Henry Irving (6 February 1838 - 13 October 1905), born John Henry Brodribb, sometimes known as J. H. Irving, was an English stage actor in the Victorian era, known as an actor-manager because he took complete responsibility (supervision of sets, lighting, direction, casting, as well as playing the leading roles) for season after season at the Lyceum Theatre, establishing himself and his company as representative of English classical theatre. In 1895 he became the first actor to be awarded a knighthood, indicating full acceptance into the higher circles of British society. Irving is widely acknowledged to be one of the inspirations for Count Dracula, the title character of the 1897 novel Dracula whose author, Bram Stoker, was business manager of the theatre. Condition Report Externally Spine good condition  gilt titles. Joints  good condition  solid. Corners  good condition  bumped and worn. Boards  good condition. Page edges  good condition  7 separately paginated and paper bound plays bound into two volumes. See above and photos. Internally Hinges  good condition  solid, repaired. Paste downs good condition foxed, Irving’s bookplate. End papers good condition foxed. Title good condition  some marks and foxing. Pages good condition some foxing and marks. Binding good condition attractive.