MASSINGER, Philip (1583--1640)
[Plays. 1805]
The plays of Philip Massinger, in four volumes. With notes critical and explanatory, by W. Gifford, Esq. Volume the first (--fourth). Containing ...
London (Place), printed for G. and W. Nicol; F. & C. Rivington; Payne; Barker; Cadell and Davies; Miller; Evans; Mawman; and Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Co. By W. Bulmer and Co.,, 1805.
4 vols ; 20.8 cm. (8º)
I: [4], clix, [1], 343, [1] p., engr. frontis. port
II: [2], 520 p.
III: [2], 590, [2] p.
IV: [2], 591, [1] p.

William Gifford's edition of the Jacobean and Caroline playwright Philip Massinger susperseded those by Coxeter (1759, reprinted 1761, q.v.) and Mason (1779), and stimulated the revival of Massinger's reputation which remained high amongst the critics and poets of the Regency. Gifford was the editor of the Quarterly Review; admired for his valuable editions of British dramatists, his productions were highly regarded for their thoroughness and accuracy (DNB). Includes an 'Essay On The Dramatick Writings Of Massinger' by John Ferriar, a Manchester physician and member of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, dated 1786. The stipple-engraved portrait in vol. I is signed 'J. Cross fecit 1623' and covered by a tissue-guard.

Binding C19th tree calf, gilt roll-tooled borders, gilt-tooled spines, black morocco spine-labels, marbled end-papers, blue sprinkled edges, sky blue silk bookmark.

Reference Number 3683

Additional Names Ferriar, John (1761--1815); Gifford, William (1756--1826), former donor