DELACROIX (Eugène). (1798-1863). Hamlet. Thirteen subjects d - Lot 78

DELACROIX (Eugène). (1798-1863). Hamlet. Thirteen subjects drawn by Eug. Delacroix. Paris, Gihaut Frères, (lith. by Villain) s.d. [1843]. In-folio (498 x 365 mm), brown half-chagr. with gold title on first board, chamois cover (contemporary binding). COMPLETE SUITE AND FIRST ISSUE of the 13 plates intended to illustrate Shakespeare's text (Delteil 103 to 118). This series, begun by Delacroix in 1834 and completed in 1843, included sixteen compositions, but Gihaut published only thirteen. EXCEPTIONAL EXEMPLAIRE, ONE OF THE VERY RARE EXEMPLAIRES (20 according to Carteret and Delteil) CONTAINING THE LITHOGRAPHS IN MAGNIFICENT CHINE PROOFS WITH DEEP BLACKS. (Scattered foxing, small restored tear in cover margin, 5 cm.)