The Making Of Shakespeare S First Folio

This is a biography of a book: the first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays printed in 1623 and known as the First Folio. It begins with the story of its first purchaser in London in December 1623, and goes on to explore the ways people have interacted with this iconic book over the four hundred years of its history. Throughout the stress is on what we can learn from individual copies now spread around the world about their eventful lives. From ink blots to pet paws, from annotations to wineglass rings, First Folios teem with evidence of their place in different contexts with different priorities. This study offers new ways to understand Shakespeare's reception and the history of the book. Unlike previous scholarly investigations of the First Folio, it is not concerned with the discussions of how the book came into being, the provenance of its texts, or the technicalities of its production. Instead, it reanimates, in narrative style, the histories of this book, paying close attention to the details of individual copies now located around the world - their bindings, marginalia, general condition, sales history, and location - to discuss five major themes: owning, reading, decoding, performing, and perfecting. This is a history of the book that consolidated Shakespeare's posthumous reputation: a reception history and a study of interactions between owners, readers, forgers, collectors, actors, scholars, booksellers, and the book through which we understand and recognize Shakespeare.

A revised and updated edition of Shakespeare's First Folio that explains the significance of the iconic publication. The Making of Shakespeare's First Folio offers the first comprehensive biography of the earliest collected edition of Shakespeare's plays. In November 1623, the book arrived in the bookshop of the London publisher Edward Blount at the Black Bear. Long in the making, Master William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies--as the First Folio was then known--appeared seven years after Shakespeare's death. Nearly one thousand pages in length, the collection comprised thirty-six plays, half of which had never been previously published. Yet no fanfare surrounded the initial publication of Shakespeare's First Folio--no queue of eager readers, no launch to the top of the best-seller list. Nevertheless, it is hard to overstate the importance of this literary, cultural, and commercial moment. Emma Smith tells the story of the First Folio's origins, locating it within the social and political context of Jacobean London and bringing in the latest scholarship on the seventeenth-century book trade. Generously illustrated in color with key pages from the publication and comparative works, this new edition combines the 2016 discovery of a hitherto unknown edition of the First Folio at Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute with the human, artistic, economic and technical stories of the birth of this landmark publication--and the birth of Shakespeare's towering reputation.

The first biography of Henry and Emily Folger, who acquired the largest and finest collection of Shakespeare in the world. In Collecting Shakespeare, Stephen H. Grant recounts the American success story of Henry and Emily Folger of Brooklyn, a couple who were devoted to each other, in love with Shakespeare, and bitten by the collecting bug. Shortly after marrying in 1885, the Folgers started buying, cataloging, and storing all manner of items about Shakespeare and his era. Emily earned a master's degree in Shakespeare studies. The frugal couple worked passionately as a tight-knit team during the Gilded Age, financing their hobby with the fortune Henry earned as president of Standard Oil Company of New York, where he was a trusted associate of John D. Rockefeller Sr. While a number of American universities offered to house the collection, the Folgers wanted to give it to the American people. Afraid the price of antiquarian books would soar if their names were revealed, they secretly acquired prime real estate on Capitol Hill near the Library of Congress. They commissioned the design and construction of an elegant building with a reading room, public exhibition hall, and the Elizabethan Theatre. The Folger Shakespeare Library was dedicated on the Bard's birthday, April 23, 1932. The library houses 82 First Folios, 275,000 books, and 60,000 manuscripts. It welcomes more than 100,000 visitors a year and provides professors, scholars, graduate students, and researchers from around the world with access to the collections. It is also a vibrant center in Washington, D.C., for cultural programs, including theater, concerts, lectures, and poetry readings. The library provided Grant with unprecedented access to the primary sources within the Folger vault. He draws on interviews with surviving Folger relatives and visits to 35 related archives in the United States and in Britain to create a portrait of the remarkable couple who ensured that Shakespeare would have a beautiful home in America.

Discover the Timeless Genius of William Shakespeare with 'Shakespeare's First Folio' Step into the world of the greatest playwright in the English language with 'Shakespeare's First Folio' by William Shakespeare. In this landmark collection, readers are transported to the vibrant streets of Elizabethan England and introduced to the timeless characters and unforgettable stories that have captivated audiences for centuries. Experience the Masterpieces of English Literature 'Shakespeare's First Folio' brings together some of the most iconic works in the history of literature, including 'Hamlet,' 'Macbeth,' 'Romeo and Juliet,' and many more. With their unforgettable characters, timeless themes, and exquisite language, Shakespeare's plays continue to resonate with readers and theatergoers alike, transcending time and culture. Whether you're a longtime fan of Shakespeare's works or encountering them for the first time, 'Shakespeare's First Folio' offers a comprehensive introduction to the genius of the Bard. From the tragic depths of 'King Lear' to the comedic antics of 'Twelfth Night,' Shakespeare's plays are a testament to the power of language, imagination, and the human spirit. Explore the Legacy of William Shakespeare More than four centuries after his death, William Shakespeare remains one of the most celebrated and influential figures in world literature. His works have been translated into every major language, adapted into countless films and stage productions, and studied by scholars and students around the globe. 'Shakespeare's First Folio' is not just a collection of plays; it is a window into the soul of a genius whose words continue to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought. Whether you're exploring the tragedies, comedies, or histories, Shakespeare's plays offer something for everyone, inviting readers to ponder the complexities of the human experience and the mysteries of life itself. Why 'Shakespeare's First Folio' Is a Must-Have for Literature Enthusiasts: Timeless Masterpieces: Immerse yourself in the unforgettable world of Shakespeare's plays, where love, jealousy, ambition, and betrayal collide with breathtaking eloquence and depth. Cultural Legacy: Explore the enduring legacy of William Shakespeare and discover why his works continue to be celebrated as some of the greatest achievements in the history of literature. Comprehensive Collection: 'Shakespeare's First Folio' brings together all of Shakespeare's plays in one beautifully crafted volume, making it the perfect choice for both casual readers and dedicated scholars. Perfect Gift: Share the magic and wonder of Shakespeare's plays with friends and family by gifting them a copy of 'Shakespeare's First Folio.' It's the perfect choice for anyone who appreciates the power of language, storytelling, and the human imagination.Don't miss your chance to experience the timeless genius of William Shakespeare in 'Shakespeare's First Folio.' Grab your copy today and prepare to be transported to a world of passion, intrigue, and unforgettable drama.

Documents the romantic story of the making of the First Folio, relating how a few years after a virtually unknown Shakespeare died, his former partners, friends and actors gathered his surviving manuscripts, unaware that they would create one of the most important English-language books ever published.

This major reference book for Shakespeare scholars and bibliographers is in the second part of the story of "the greatest book" in the English language. Listing 228 copies of the First Folio, the Census gives concise descriptions of each, covering condition, special features, provenance, and binding. It traces the search for copies, deals with doubtful identifications, describes the tests for inclusion, and presents details of missing copies.

A history of the Bard's competitively pursued First Folio traces the author's travels from the site of a Sotheby auction to regions in Asia, throughout which he investigated the roles played by those who have sought and owned the Folios.

In 1623 a team of stationers published what has become the most famous volume in English literary history: William Shakespeare's First Folio. Who were these publishers and how might their stories be bound up with those found within the book they created? Ben Higgins offers a radical new account of the First Folio by focusing on these four publishing businesses that made the volume. By moving between close scrutiny of the Folio publishers and a wider view of their significance within the early modern book trade, Higgins uses Shakespeare's stationers to explore the 'literariness' of the Folio; to ask how stationers have shaped textual authority; to argue for the interpretive potential of the 'minor' Shakespearean bookseller; and to examine the topography of Shakespearean publication. Drawing on a host of fresh primary evidence from a wide range of sources, including court records, manuscript letters, bookseller's bills, and the literature itself, Shakespeare's Syndicate illuminates our understanding of how this landmark volume was made and what it has meant to scholars since. Moreover, it models exciting new ways of working with stationers and of reading the event of early modern publication itself. This innovative study demonstrates that despite four hundred years of history, the volume at the centre of Shakespeare's canon continues to generate new stories.