Shakespeare | The poems, Hammersmith, Kelmscott Press, 1893, original vellum, Polignac-Régnier copy

William Shakespeare

The poems... printed after the original copies of Venus and Adonis, 1593. The rape of Lucrece, 1594. Sonnets, 1609. The lover's complaint. (Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 17 January 1893)

4to (206 x 140mm.), one of 500 paper copies, woodcut white vinestem initials and borders, running titles printed in red, woodcut printer's device at end, original limp vellum with cloth ties, later morocco lettering-pieces, lacking ties

A copy with significant French literary provenance, from Edmond de Polignac, Henri de Régnier and Marie de Régnier.

LITERATURE:

Peterson A11

PROVENANCE:

"Ce livre m'été donné par le P[rin]ce E.[dmond] de Polignac 1895", "Emmanuela", inscriptions on second flyleaf; Henri de Régnier (1864-1936), signature on first flyleaf; "A mon cher Lorenzo en double souvenir, sa vieille amie Marie de Régnier" (née Marie de Heredia, 1875-1963); "A Guy Abela, pour continuer la chaîne de l'esprit et du coeur, Paul Lorenzo, fin Mai 1970", inscriptions on first flyleaf; Guy Abela, label at foot of spine