Othello, The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare Value Guide

William Harrison Ainsworth The Spendthrift Printed London | eBay
Othello, The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
Estimated Value
$50 – $100
Period
1891
Origin
United States
Materials
Paper, ink, board

This 1891 edition of Othello, The Moor of Venice, is a significant piece of American literary history featuring the scholarship of William J. Rolfe. Published by Harper & Brothers, this volume is highly collectible due to Rolfe's reputation as a preeminent Shakespearean scholar of the late 19th century.

What Is Othello, The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare Worth?

The typical price range for Othello, The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare is $50 - $100 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

  • The physical condition of the board covers, specifically looking for spine wear or fading.
  • The presence of any internal markings, foxing, or damage to the paper and ink.
  • Completeness of the text, including all of Rolfe's original introductory notes and appendices.
  • Provenance or evidence of use within 19th-century academic institutions.

How to Identify Othello, The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare?

  • Verify the 1891 publication date on the title page or copyright notice.
  • Check for the Harper & Brothers publisher imprint and the specific attribution to editor William J. Rolfe.
  • Confirm the presence of extensive scholarly notes and annotations characteristic of Rolfe's editions.
  • Look for the original brown or green cloth binding typically used for this educational series.

History of Othello, The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare's 'Othello' is one of his most powerful and enduring tragedies, first performed around 1604. It tells the story of a brave Moorish general in the Venetian army whose life is tragically undone by jealousy and deceit. This particular edition was edited by William J. Rolfe, a prominent American Shakespearean scholar of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his extensively annotated editions of Shakespeare's plays.

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