1904 – MACBETH – THE WARWICK SHAKESPEARE Series (Blackie) Antiquarian Book

1904 – MACBETH By William Shakespeare – THE WARWICK SHAKESPEARE Small Antiquarian Hardback Book. Edited by E. K. Chambers. 

This is part of a series of books aimed at students, called ‘The Warwick Shakespeare’, which ran from approximately 1893. The General Editor was C. H. Hereford, who was the Professor of English Language and Literature in the University of Manchester. 

The General Preface states: “In the WARWICK SHAKESPEARE an attempt is made to present the greater plays of the dramatist in their literary aspect, and not merely as material for the study of philology or grammar. Criticism purely verbal and textual has only been included to such an extent as may serve to help the student in his appreciation of the essential poetry. Questions of date and literary history have been fully dealt with in the Introductions, but the larger space has been devoted to the interpretative rather than the matter-of-fact order of scholarship. Aesthetic judgments are never final, but the Editors have attempted to suggest points of view from which the analysis of dramatic motive and dramatic character may be profitably undertaken. In the Notes likewise, while it is hoped that all unfamiliar expressions and allusions have been adequately explained, yet it has been thought even more important to consider the dramatic value of each scene, and the part which it plays in relation to the whole. These general principles are common to the whole series….” 

Published by Blackie And Son Limited, 50 Old Bailey, London, with offices also in Glasgow and Bombay. Blackie & Son became a public limited company in 1890, changing its name to Blackie & Son Ltd. It is believed that they may have remained at 50 Old Bailey until 1941, when it is thought that the office was destroyed by enemy bombing. 

The light green cloth bound boards and spine are intact and robust, and in a good condition, considering that they are 120 years old. They do have some wear, including bumping to the corners, creasing on the spine, small patches of fading, and small marks. On both the front board and the spine there is black lettering and small decorations. Please see the photographs provided for further reference. 

Inside, the pages are lightly tanned, with heavier tanning on the pastedowns and endpapers. The pages are in an overall neat, clean, and mostly uncreased condition, with only the very occasional small or light marks or small creases. The pages are without rips. There are some pen inscriptions on the front free endpaper and on a great many pages there is pen and pencil written. Please see the photographs provided for examples. Between a couple of pages is a light crack in the gutter, although the pages are all secure. There are no missing pages and so, all 188 pages are present, plus 8 pages to the rear containing the publisher’s book catalogue. Please study the photos carefully as to the condition of this book, as they do form part of the description. 

This measures approximately 18.1 cm by 12.2 cm and 1.8 cm wide. It weighs approximately 267 grams. 

Thank you so much for looking.