Inscribed: Recto: in plate: in plaque above statue: Gulielmo Shakespeare Anno Post Mortem CXXIV / Amor Publicus Ponuit"; on the plinth against which he rests "Gul: Kent Inv. / P. Scheemakers Fecit 1740"; below image: "Mr. Fleetwood, master of the Theatre in Drury Lane, and Mr. Rich master of that in Covent Garden, having some time since Generously given each of them the benefit arising from Acting a Play of Shakespeare, towards erecting a Monument to the Memory of the Poet which was to be done by the Direction of the Right Honble. the Earl of Burlington, Dr. Mead, Mr. Pope, and Mr. Martin, this Monument is now finish'd and set up in Westminster Abby, the Dean and Chapter contributing their Part, to this publick work, by freely giving the Place for it. The Design of it was made by Mr. Kent, Painter and Architect, and Executed by Mr. Schemaker, Statuary, and it is admir'd as one of the finest Performances of this Kind, that has ever been done in our Country"; bottom right corner: "Clau. Dubosc, Sculp"; bottom center: "in Whitcomb Street near Picadilly / According to Act of Parliament"