Hardcover
1810 · Philadelphia
by SHAKESPEARE, William (Frederick Llewellyn Hovey Willis and Love Maria Whitcomb)
Philadelphia: C. and A. Conrad & Co. Philadelphia; Conrad, Lucas, & Co. Baltimore; Somervell and Conrad, Petersburg; and Bonsal, Conrad, & Co. Norfolk, 1810. Hardcover. Very Good. Eight volume set (complete). Octavos. Bound in contemporary American mottled calf, with dark red and black leather spine labels lettered in gold, edges speckled blue. Ink ownership signature of Love Maria Whitcomb and small and attractively printed bookplate of her husband "Dr. F. L. H. Willis" on the front free endpaper or flyleaf of each volume. Modest wear to the edges and joints at the spine ends, overall scattered foxing and some staining, one volume (VI) lacks the front flyleaf, a very good set.
An early American edition of Shakespeare's Plays (the first American edition was published in 1795-96), from the library of Frederick L. H. Willis and Love Whitcomb, both of whom were leading exponents of the American Spiritualist movement. Frederick Willis was raised in the same household as Louisa May Alcott and her sisters, and had developed a close relationship to Bronson Alcott. According to *Alcott Memoirs*, compiled from Willis's biographical writings, he provided the inspiration for the character Laurie in *Little Women*. Expelled from Harvard Divinity School in 1857 for his involvement with spiritualism, Willis earned a medical degree, moved to Rochester to work as a physician, and taught at the New York Medical College for Women. Love Whitcomb came from a long line of Unitarian pastors in New Hampshire. A writer and musician, Whitcomb edited *Tiffany's Monthly Magazine*, wrote for *The Banner of Light* (a Spiritualist journal), and composed several songs and hymns for the movement.
A handsome set of nice American bindings featuring Willis's bookplates with ornamental borders, and an interesting association with the Alcott family of New England. (Inventory #: 408294)
An early American edition of Shakespeare's Plays (the first American edition was published in 1795-96), from the library of Frederick L. H. Willis and Love Whitcomb, both of whom were leading exponents of the American Spiritualist movement. Frederick Willis was raised in the same household as Louisa May Alcott and her sisters, and had developed a close relationship to Bronson Alcott. According to *Alcott Memoirs*, compiled from Willis's biographical writings, he provided the inspiration for the character Laurie in *Little Women*. Expelled from Harvard Divinity School in 1857 for his involvement with spiritualism, Willis earned a medical degree, moved to Rochester to work as a physician, and taught at the New York Medical College for Women. Love Whitcomb came from a long line of Unitarian pastors in New Hampshire. A writer and musician, Whitcomb edited *Tiffany's Monthly Magazine*, wrote for *The Banner of Light* (a Spiritualist journal), and composed several songs and hymns for the movement.
A handsome set of nice American bindings featuring Willis's bookplates with ornamental borders, and an interesting association with the Alcott family of New England. (Inventory #: 408294)