Place Published: London, 1746. Edition: First Edition. Binding: Full Calf. Condition: Near Fine.

Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Light rubbing at edges of leather, a number of surface scratches, rubbing to gilt decoration to boards but generally bright. 5 raised bands on spines, marbled endpapers. Lovely copies of La Place's translation of Shakespeare, the first to appear in English - volume one includes a lengthy introduction to the series as well as a Life of Shakespeare, Vol III has a preface and short history. Volume II has a light water stain on the bottom 1/4 of the page for much of the book, The Imprint is false, certainly printed in Paris but marked London to protect the publisher who had no "privilege du roi". Only Richard III was translated in the entirety, the rest bowdlerized and summarized to protect sensitive French ideas of proper theater. These led to both Voltaire's (who became increasingly embittered towards Shakespeare as the years progressed) decline as a Shakespeare authority and the heralded 1776 translation by Letourner. A vital 18th century work and the first attempt to introduce English theater to France. La Place also translated Tom Jones (in much the same fashion) a few years later. The plays are: Othello, Henry VI, Richard III, Hamlet, Macbeth, Cymbeline, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, Timon, Merry Wives of Windsor, and the Beaumont and Fletcher Play A Maid's Tragedy. The untranslated plays are presented in short (2-6 page) summaries at the end of volumes III and IV. Quantity Available: 1. Category: Theatre & Plays; French Language; Antiquarian & Rare. Inventory No: 032504.