Shakespeare, William — Alberto Sangorksi [illuminator] | "A rose by any other name..."

Shakespeare, William — Alberto Sangorski [illuminator and calligrapher]

The Potency of Love and Love Sonnets. Colophon in MS: "Was designed, written out, and illuminated by Alberto Sangorski," [1927]

Illuminated manuscript on vellum (245 x 195 mm). One vellum leaf at front, illuminated title with Chandos portrait, 20 numbered pages, 2 unnumbered pages, the majority illuminated in gold and color, featuring 4 large miniatures within extravagantly illuminated borders, 1 historiated initial (Tudor home with couple in the foreground), 8 large illuminated initials (featuring intricate flowers and vines), 3 illuminated initials all with burnished gold, 1 leaf at back, silk guards; some minor creasing and spotting to guards. Contemporary red morocco bound by Riviere & Son, upper cover with green, white, and black morocco inlays, profusely stamped in gilt with central laurel device surrounding Shakespeare's initials, jeweled flower cornerpieces, lower cover with blue and black morocco inlays, profusely stamped in gilt with with double gilt rules surrounding gilt crest, spine with raised bands in six compartments, second and third gilt-lettered, others with repeat overall decoration in gilt and green, edges gilt, turn-ins elaborately gilt, cream watered silk endleaves; some deterioration to front free endleaf. House in dark green morocco case lined with velvet and watered silk.

Signed by Sangorski in the colophon, following the statement: "This manuscript will not be duplicated"

This richly illuminated work was accomplished by Alberto Sangorski, who was relatively late to the world of calligraphy. At the 43, he began to work for his younger brother Francis, half of the famous Sangorski and Sutcliffe bookbinding firm. The present volume richly illustrates songs from some of Shakespeare's most famous plays, including: "Sea Dirge" from The Tempest; "The Hunter's Song" from As You Like It; "Lullaby" from A Midsummer Night's Dream, and many others.

A remarkable work, celebrating the Bard's best-loved verses