5.4.1828

CATALOGUE

OF ALL

THE BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, &c.

RELATING TO

SHAKSPEARE.

TO WHICH ARE SUBJOINED,

AN ACCOUNT OF THE EARLY QUARTO EDITIONS

OF THE

Great Dramatist's Plays and Poems,

THE PRICES

AT WHICH MANY COPIES HAVE SOLD IN PUBLIC SALES;

TOGETHER WITH A

LIST OF THE LEADING AND ESTEEMED EDITIONS OF
SHAKSPEARE'S COLLECTED WORKS.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR JOHN WILSON,

21, GREAT MAY'S BUILDINGS, ST. MARTIN'S LANE.

1827.

PREFACE.

THE extraordinary avidity with which every thing bearing reference to the sublime Bard of Avon is welcomed by the Public, was the first inducement that prompted the present undertaking; which, having been mentioned to, and approved by, a few collectors, led to its ultimate publication.

There exists, as it were, a talismanic influence in regard to the most trivial circumstance connected with Shakspeare; and such is the veneration inspired by his name, throughout all ranks of society, that it would be little short of profanation to dwell upon the subject of his prolific genius without being tinctured by enthusiasm.

Independent of the regular works and tracts. hereafter enumerated, there exist such a multiplicity of anonymous communications in the various