“ONE OF THE MOST CONSPICUOUS LANDMARKS IN THE HISTORY OF THE ROMANTIC MOVEMENT”: THE LAMBS’ TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE, IN A RIVIERE & SON BINDING

LAMB, Charles and Mary. Tales from Shakspeare. London: Macmillan and Co., 1908. 12mo, contemporary three-quarter olive morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, uncut. $450.

Later edition of Charles and Mary Lamb’s celebrated introduction to Shakespeare’s works—a book which proved influential in cementing the Bard’s familiarity and popularity among general readers—in an elegant binding by Riviere & Son.

In 1805, essayist Charles Lamb met children's book publisher William Godwin, who convinced Lamb to write an introduction to the tragedies and comedies of Shakespeare for young readers. Charles adapted the Bard's tragedies while his sister Mary adapted the comedies. Published in 1807, the Tales "belong to a type of literature requiring gifts which are seldom found in perfect proportion… It is not too much to say that the collection forms one of the most conspicuous landmarks in the history of the romantic movement. It is the first book which, appealing to a general audience and to a rising generation, made Shakespeare a familiar and popular author and, in doing so, asserted the claims of the older literature which, to English people at large, was little more than a name" (Rosenbach 37:385). Lamb biographer Alfred Ainger edited and introduced this edition, geared more towards adults than children. Bookplate.

Foxing to text block edges only, pages clean. Spine evenly toned, corners slightly rubbed. A handsome copy.