folio (316 x 217mm.), 452 (out of 454) leaves, the second collected edition of shakespeare's plays,  woodcut head-pieces and initials, text in double column, 66 lines, roman and italic type, headlines and catchwords, nineteenth-century brown morocco gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, a few manuscript annotations in the margins in a later hand (e.g. P3 recto), lacking two preliminary leaves (^[PI]A1 ("To the reader" leaf) and ^[PI]A2 (title)),^PI]A3 repaired at inner margin, some occasional soiling and browning, a few other neat repairs to some tears sometimes affecting a few letters (e.g. H2), repair to outer margin of 2y4, repairs to inner margins of final gathering 3d⁴, substantial restoration to final leaf 3d4

Collation (of a complete copy): [PI]A6 *4 , A-2B6 2C2 , a-y6, 2a-3c6 3d4

Herbert Watney, M.D., of Buckhold, near Pangbourne in Berkshire, bookplate with shelf-mark, and his ownership signature on front endpaper dated  July 1891
Herbert Watney (1843-1932) was the third son of the brewer and landowner James Watney (1800-1884). Educated at Rugby and St. John's College Cambridge, he was Senior Assistant Physician at St. George's Hospital and became Master of the Mercers' Company in 1915. Buckhold house became St. Christopher's preparatory school in 1934.
"I would give all my fame for a pot of ale..."

STC 22274; Greg pp.1113-1115; Todd Studies in Bibliography Vol.V, pp.81-108; Jaggard 496--497; Bartlett 120

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A textually complete copy of the second folio edition of Shakespeare's plays, also containing John Milton's first appearance in print.

The second folio, which in principle was a page-for-page reprint of the First Folio of 1623, was printed in 1632 by Thomas Cotes, who had taken over the Jaggard s🐟hop following Isaac's death in 1627. Like the First Folio it was printed for a syndicate of publishers, which again included John Smethwick and William Aspley. Although many obvious corrections were made the printing introduced hundreds of minor changes to the text.

John Milton's first appearance in print appears on A5r, an epitaph on Shakespeare in 16 verses (ꦅ"An Epitaph on the admirable Drama𓆉ticke Poet, W. Shakespeare").