The Plays of Philip Massinger, in Four Volumes, With Notes Critical and Explanatory, by W. Gifford, Esq

London: G. and W. Nicol, F. C. and J. Rivington, Cadell and Davies, et al., 1813. ~Late 19th / early 20th century rebinding in half tan calf, light brown cloth to boards. Raised bands, gilt decor, one red gilt and one brown gilt label per spine. 8vos (13.5 x 21.7cm). Mild wear to board edges. Vol. I rebacked in near-matching calf with original spine laid down, the repair hard to see. Old but very neat repairs to base and top spine of vol. II, now just starting to split over hinges. IV. Splitting to endpapers at gutters to vols I, II, & IV but all hinges firm. Bookplate of Eric Gerald Stanley, Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon, University of Oxford, to inside front board of all vols. Portrait frontis to vol. I. With 35pp. 'Advertisement to the Second Edition' to vol. I, in which Gifford responds with some acerbity to criticisms of his editorial work. Vol. I: Introduction, The Virgin-Martyr, The Unnatural Combat, The Duke of Milan / Vol. II: The Bondman, The Renegado, The Parliament of Love, The Roman Actor, The Great Duke of Florence / Vol. III: The Maid of Honour, The Picture, The Emperor of the East, The Fatal Dowry, A New Way to Pay Old Debts / Vol. IV: The City Madam, The Guardian, A Very Woman, The Bashful Lover, The Old Law. Philip Massinger (1583-1640), playwright. Massinger's reputation was at a high point in the early 19th century, with Sir Giles in A New Way to Pay Old Debts becoming one of Edmund Kean's most famous and successful roles. This major 1813 edition is a product of this popularity: 'William Gifford's editions of 1805 and 1813 were the most thorough that had so far been accorded a contemporary of Shakespeare' (ODNB). ~Robust packaging. All UK orders trackable, others on request. . 2nd edn. Hardback. Very Good. clxxix, 347 + 528 + 602 + 598pp. Text block sound & unmarked.