Published in London, by William Pickering, 1825. Hardcover. Very Good condition, please see the photos. 3.5″ x 2″ Miniature edition of the Plays of Shakespeare in 9 volumes, in custom slipcase. Vol 1: [vi] 306 p.p.; vol 2: 279 p.p; vol 3: 294 p.p; vol 4: 326 p.p; vol. 5: 321 p.p.; vol. 6: 348 p.p.; vol. 7: 320 p.p.; vol. 8: 315 p.p.; vol. 9: 279 p.p. [liv].

Full green morocco bindings, with some wear and scuffs. Spine rebacked with new black leather with original spine laid down on volume 1 only. Gilt titles on spines and gilt ruling on inner edges. 38 B&W plates, incl. frontis. engraved by Augustus Fox, from a picture painted by T. Stothard R.A. from the rare print by Droeshout. 

Browning to pages and illustrations, sporadic light foxing throughout. Water staining to volume 6, not affecting text.

William Pickering was an English publisher notable for introducing cloth binding to British publishing. Dedicated to Earl R.H. George John Spencer, the 2nd Lord Spencer, noted for his interest in literature, particularly early examples of printing. 

Spencer was the instigator and the first president of the Roxburghe Club, an exclusive bibliophilic club founded in 1812. His personal collection of tens of thousands of volumes was put up for sale in 1892 and acquired for the John Rylands Library. Inscription on FFEP of vol 1 dated May 1830.