Twenty-four original outline lithographic illustrations to Shakespeare: a series of twelve anonymous ones to 'The Tempest', published in London in 1825 by Charles Knight; and a series of twelve by Moritz Retzsch to 'Macbeth'.

Author: 
Charles Knight, London publisher; Friedrich August Moritz Retzsch (1779-1857), German painter, artist and draughtsman; William Shakespeare
Publication details: 
The 'Tempest' illustrations 'Published by C. Knight, Pall Mall East, April 1825'. Retzsch's 'Macbeth' illustrations undated [1833 or 1847.
£250.00
SKU: 18899

All twenty-four illustrations have been laid down on leaves removed from an album of prints. Both series are numbered to twelve, and each is complete. The plates in the Retzsch series appear to have had their margins cropped. All images clear and complete, on lightly-aged paper, with occasional light spotting and discoloration. Laid down at the head of the first illustration in the first series, and slightly (0.5 cm) encroaching onto it, is a printed label reading 'Illustrations to Shakespeare's | TEMPEST | in 12 plates'. Each illustration in this series carries Knight's details and the date of publication, together with details of the act and scene being illustrated. Relevant quotations from the play are written around the plates in light pencil. Retzsch's illustrations to Macbeth were first published in 1833, and were reprinted in his 'Gallery to Shakspeare's Dramatic Works' (Leipzig, 1847). All but one of the engravings in the present set carry English act and scene numbers engraved in the top right-hand corner. In manuscript in pen beneath each plate is relevant quotation from the play. I have found the Tempest plates in only one Collection (at the Folger) only Collection. No other listing found on COPAC or WorldCat.