A collection of the best English plays. Vol. I. Containing, Julius Cæsar; Macbeth; Hamlet; Othello: by Mr. Wm. Shakespear
The Hague : printed for T. Johnson, bookseller at The Hague,
1711-22.
General titlepages for this collection which list the contents of the respective volumes have been described as belonging to the "first issue", comprising originally 10 vols., 1711-1712, together with 2 further vols., ca.1714, and 1718. An alternative version of the general titlepage reading "A collection of the best English plays, chosen out of all the best authors", with imprint in the form "London: printed for the Company of Booksellers" and without date, has been described as belonging to the "second issue", in 16 vols., assigned to 1720-1722.'.
Mixed sets may occur and the make-up of individual volumes may vary, as the individual plays were also available separately and many exist in at least two editions. Remaindered sheets from Johnson's stock were later issued separately by H. Scheurleer jun. at The Hague and were also included in sets bearing the general title "A select collection of the best modern English plays", and dated 1750.
H.L. Ford, Shakespeare 1700-1740, Oxford, 1935. pp. 46-56.
ESTC