[Literature] [Pope, Alexander] Shakespeare, William. The Works of Shakespear

London: Printed for Jacob Tonson (Vols. I-VI/Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth et al. (Vol. VII), 1723-25. In seven volumes. First quarto edition (one of 750 sets). 4to. Edited by Alexander Pope. Title-page in Vol. I printed in red and in black. Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece portrait and engraved portrait plate of Shakespeare in Vol. I, by George Vertue, as well as engraved initials and head- and tail-pieces. Full contemporary mottled brown calf, sometime rebacked, red morocco spine labels, boards and spines stamped in blind and in gilt; front board with front free endpaper of Vols. I, IV, and VII detached, front board of Vol. VI starting; extremities and boards rubbed and worn; corners worn; spine ends chipped and worn; top edges stained dark, other edges speckled red; marbled endpapers; front and rear hinges in each volume reinforced; top edge O4 in Vol. II repaired; A-L4 and 3O-3N4 in Vol. II toned, other quires throughout set variously toned; closed tear in bottom edge Rr4 in Vol. IV; edges of 3K2-3 toned and worn in Vol. IV; small closed tear in bottom edge Z4 in Vol. VI; scattered light to moderate spotting and soiling to text throughout set. Jaggard, p. 498; Lowndes 2259

"If ever any author deserved the name of an Original, it was Shakespear...The Poetry of Shakespear was Inspiration indeed: he is not so much an Imitator, as an Instrument, of Nature; and 'tis not so just to say that he speaks from her, as that she speaks thro' him" (Pope's preface).

The first quarto edition of William Shakespeare's collected works, edited by Alexander Pope. Including the rare supplementary seventh volume, comprising Shakespeare's poetry, miscellaneous plays, and commentary on his works. "It embraces Pope's preface, the life by Rowe, an index of characters, sentiments, speeches, and descriptions, and a list of subscribers, in addition to the matter set forth on title. Of the two portraits engraved by G. Vertue, one is said by Boaden to represent King James in a large ruff, and the other, supposed to be the Stratford bust, is unlike it, inasmuch as it gives the poet a profusion of hair" (Jaggard).

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

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Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

[email protected]267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

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[Literature] [Pope, Alexander] Shakespeare, William. The Works of Shakespear

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