Lot #2: Antique 1873 Shakespeare Leather Bound "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare"

Antique 1873 Single-Volume Leather Bound "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare" – Porter & Coates (Philadelphia), Edited by George Long Duyckinck – With 1874 Contemporary Gift Inscription Title: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Editor: George Long Duyckinck Publisher: Porter & Coates, Philadelphia Year: 1873 (Copyright 1866 by Davis, Porter & Coates) Printer: Caxton Press of Sherman & Co., Philadelphia Binding: Deluxe 19th-century full brown embossed leather (morocco), featuring intricate blind-stamped ornamental bordering on the front and rear boards. The spine is constructed with five raised bands, decorative gold/gilt gilding within the compartments, and bold gilt-stamped lettering reading "Shakespeare's Complete Works". Pagination & Layout: Includes an engraved title page vignette of Stratford-upon-Avon Church, a comprehensive Publisher’s Preface, a literal copy of the famous First Folio (1623) "Epistle Dedicatorie" by John Heminge and Henry Condell, a complete "Catalogue" (Table of Contents) spanning nine hundred eleven pages, and numerous full-page illustrations. • The Publisher (Porter & Coates): Porter & Coates was a prominent late 19th-century Philadelphia publishing house known for producing high-quality, aesthetically striking library editions of classic literature. Single-volume, heavy leather editions like this were designed to be centerpiece showpieces for Victorian family parlors. • The Editor (George Long Duyckinck): Duyckinck was an esteemed American author and editor. His Shakespeare edition combines the most reliable textual readings from iconic English scholars (including Collier, Knight, Dyce, and Halliwell). The text balances readability with deep academic rigor. • The 1823 Folio Reproductions: Collectors highly appreciate that this volume reprints the original 1623 First Folio prefaces—specifically the historic "Epistle Dedicatorie" and the address "To the Great Variety of Readers"—allowing modern readers to experience how Shakespeare's closest peers originally introduced his work. • Desirable Provenance Data: The handwritten inscription from June 1874 perfectly complements the 1873 publication date. This proves the book was purchased and gifted immediately upon release, offering an authentic snapshot of Victorian-era social gifting. Pickup category timeslot {A}