Folger Shakespeare Library
Folger Shakespeare Library boasts the largest collection of First Folios in the world. Read more about the history of their 23 digitised First Folios below.
Folger Shakespeare Library
Folger Shakespeare Library boasts the largest collection of First Folios in the world. Read more about the history of their 23 digitised First Folios below.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. The earliest known owner of this copy is Daniel Moore, who acquired the copy around 1800 and left it to William H. Booth. The latter donated it after his death to the antiquary John Gage Rokewode. This copy was purchased in 1841 by George Daniel, a writer of poetry, plays and other written works and a collector, from William Pickering who had bought it himself from Rokewode. Angela Burdett-Coutts, a philanthropist, purchased this Folio in 1864 for £716, which set a new record regarding the possible price of a First Folio at the time. In 1837, she inherited her grandfather’s fortune and became one of the wealthiest women in England. This copy presents an unusual sheet E5 which bears the watermark from the Second Folio, even though the text seems to be from the First Folio.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. The earliest known owner of this copy is Daniel Moore, who acquired the copy around 1800 and left it to William H. Booth. The latter donated it after his death to the antiquary John Gage Rokewode. This copy was purchased in 1841 by George Daniel, a writer of poetry, plays and other written works and a collector, from William Pickering who had bought it himself from Rokewode. Angela Burdett-Coutts, a philanthropist, purchased this Folio in 1864 for £716, which set a new record regarding the possible price of a First Folio at the time. In 1837, she inherited her grandfather’s fortune and became one of the wealthiest women in England. This copy presents an unusual sheet E5 which bears the watermark from the Second Folio, even though the text seems to be from the First Folio.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy was owned by William Gott of Yorkshire and later his son, John Gott, Bishop of Truro. Various evidence suggests that they were collectors of Shakespearean works. A list of play quartos owned by William Gott is found in the preliminary pages and Lee explains in his 1906 that John Gott told him that he owns many original Shakespearean quartos such as Hamlet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Merchant of Venice, Henry V and King Lear. Rasmussen and West note that Hamlet was not part of William Gott’s list, which suggests that John Gott not only inherited his father’s volume but continued to collect rare books. This copy is now stored together with a letter from Bernard Quaritch to Henry Clay Folger which refers to the state of the volume.
Folger 09
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy was owned by William Gott of Yorkshire and later his son, John Gott, Bishop of Truro. Various evidence suggests that they were collectors of Shakespearean works. A list of play quartos owned by William Gott is found in the preliminary pages and Lee explains in his 1906 that John Gott told him that he owns many original Shakespearean quartos such as Hamlet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Merchant of Venice, Henry V and King Lear. Rasmussen and West note that Hamlet was not part of William Gott’s list, which suggests that John Gott not only inherited his father’s volume but continued to collect rare books. This copy is now stored together with a letter from Bernard Quaritch to Henry Clay Folger which refers to the state of the volume.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy has been nicknamed the “golden retriever” copy because it used to be owned by the first Baron Tweedmouth who bred the first golden retriever. He was also a director of the East India Company. Initially the Folgers did not want to buy this copy because of the high price. However, they changed their minds and purchased it for $7,300 and a copy of Lee’s photographic facsimile, which was the most accurate at the time. Ben Jonson’s verses is a printed facsimile page and the title page and the last leaf of Cymbeline have been completed with ink. Missing leaves in the volume have been replaced by leaves from other First Folios.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy has been nicknamed the “golden retriever” copy because it used to be owned by the first Baron Tweedmouth who bred the first golden retriever. He was also a director of the East India Company. Initially the Folgers did not want to buy this copy because of the high price. However, they changed their minds and purchased it for $7,300 and a copy of Lee’s photographic facsimile, which was the most accurate at the time. Ben Jonson’s verses is a printed facsimile page and the title page and the last leaf of Cymbeline have been completed with ink. Missing leaves in the volume have been replaced by leaves from other First Folios.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. It is considered as a complete copy which only contains a few defective leaves that have been repaired. Since the mid-1850s, this copy belonged to George John Warren Vernon, 5th Baron Vernon of Sudbury who was an Italian scholar and editor of Dante Alighieri’s works. He printed Le prime quattro Edizioni della Divina Commedia letteralmente ristampate (London, 1858), which had been previously unedited and published in three folio volumes, and L’Inferno di Dante Alighieri disposto in ordine grammaticale e corredato di brevi dichiarazioni di G. G. Warren, Lord Vernon (London, 1858–65). A county in Australia was named after him. This First Folio remained in George John Warren Vernon’s family until the Folgers acquired it for $11,000.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. It is considered as a complete copy which only contains a few defective leaves that have been repaired. Since the mid-1850s, this copy belonged to George John Warren Vernon, 5th Baron Vernon of Sudbury who was an Italian scholar and editor of Dante Alighieri’s works. He printed Le prime quattro Edizioni della Divina Commedia letteralmente ristampate (London, 1858), which had been previously unedited and published in three folio volumes, and L’Inferno di Dante Alighieri disposto in ordine grammaticale e corredato di brevi dichiarazioni di G. G. Warren, Lord Vernon (London, 1858–65). A county in Australia was named after him. This First Folio remained in George John Warren Vernon’s family until the Folgers acquired it for $11,000.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. The Scottish engineer and shipbuilder John Scott owned this copy in the late 1800s. He developed the marine steam engine and was a member of numerous engineering institutions. Besides his work, he collected a lot of volumes on various subjects, including texts about Scotland, the Stuarts, and engineering. Lee notes that he owned a “restored copy of the First Folio” (1906, p. 24). In fact, this copy misses some of its original leaves such as the title page and the last leaf of Cymbeline, the last play in the First Folio. Three leaves are missing in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Much Ado About Nothing and have been replaced by original leaves from another First Folio. This, as the Shakespeare Folger Library notes, was a common practice at one time. In 1905, the Folgers acquired this copy for $1,350.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. The Scottish engineer and shipbuilder John Scott owned this copy in the late 1800s. He developed the marine steam engine and was a member of numerous engineering institutions. Besides his work, he collected a lot of volumes on various subjects, including texts about Scotland, the Stuarts, and engineering. Lee notes that he owned a “restored copy of the First Folio” (1906, p. 24). In fact, this copy misses some of its original leaves such as the title page and the last leaf of Cymbeline, the last play in the First Folio. Three leaves are missing in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Much Ado About Nothing and have been replaced by original leaves from another First Folio. This, as the Shakespeare Folger Library notes, was a common practice at one time. In 1905, the Folgers acquired this copy for $1,350.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. Prior to its acquisition by the Folgers in 1903, this volume was owned by Robert Roberts and later his son Robert H. Roberts. In 1876, Roberts had bought the volume from the publishers Messrs. Chatto & Windus. The previous year, the publishers had removed the binding from the Folio so that its pages could be photographed. This first-ever photomechanical facsimile was published with a preface by J.O. Halliwell-Phillipps in 1876. In the volume, the name “Sir Andrew barton Knight” is written, which as Rasmussen and West write “may refer to Sir Andrew Barton (c. 1466–1511), a Scottish sea captain who was executed after being captured by the English and subsequently memorialized in several English poems and ballads” (380). The annotation might be a reference to this sea captain, as he could not have been an owner of the First Folio. On a leaf that was inserted from a Second Folio, two names appear: “Anne Lady Crewe” and “G. Steevens”. Given that this was not an original leaf from this (or any) First Folio, it is possible that Crewe and Steevens both owned the Second Folio which provided this leaf.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. Prior to its acquisition by the Folgers in 1903, this volume was owned by Robert Roberts and later his son Robert H. Roberts. In 1876, Roberts had bought the volume from the publishers Messrs. Chatto & Windus. The previous year, the publishers had removed the binding from the Folio so that its pages could be photographed. This first-ever photomechanical facsimile was published with a preface by J.O. Halliwell-Phillipps in 1876. In the volume, the name “Sir Andrew barton Knight” is written, which as Rasmussen and West write “may refer to Sir Andrew Barton (c. 1466–1511), a Scottish sea captain who was executed after being captured by the English and subsequently memorialized in several English poems and ballads” (380). The annotation might be a reference to this sea captain, as he could not have been an owner of the First Folio. On a leaf that was inserted from a Second Folio, two names appear: “Anne Lady Crewe” and “G. Steevens”. Given that this was not an original leaf from this (or any) First Folio, it is possible that Crewe and Steevens both owned the Second Folio which provided this leaf.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. Known as the “purple” copy, this volume of the First Folio registers inserted leaves from at least five different other First Folios. Its nickname comes from the unusual faint purple tint that can be seen in five of its leaves. The same colour can be found in another Folger Folio (78; Shakespeare Census 5109), which suggests that these leaves have been taken from the same other First Folio to complete these ones. This copy was owned by Charles William Frederickson who was not only interested in Shakespeare but also in the work of Percy Bysshe Shelley. He was originally a printer but became a cotton broker. He owned another copy of the First Folio which, as a note at the Folger indicates, was sold play by play. This copy contains numerous manuscript notes, notably on both sides of ee4. Various punctuation changes have been made and stage directions have been inserted.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. Known as the “purple” copy, this volume of the First Folio registers inserted leaves from at least five different other First Folios. Its nickname comes from the unusual faint purple tint that can be seen in five of its leaves. The same colour can be found in another Folger Folio (78; Shakespeare Census 5109), which suggests that these leaves have been taken from the same other First Folio to complete these ones. This copy was owned by Charles William Frederickson who was not only interested in Shakespeare but also in the work of Percy Bysshe Shelley. He was originally a printer but became a cotton broker. He owned another copy of the First Folio which, as a note at the Folger indicates, was sold play by play. This copy contains numerous manuscript notes, notably on both sides of ee4. Various punctuation changes have been made and stage directions have been inserted.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. In this volume, an early reader has signed her name: “Jane Katherin” (bbb1r). Another name appears on a loose flyleaf of an older binding: “William Vaughan Esqr”. At the end of the volume, a label recording an exhibition of the Royal House of Tudor, London, 1889-1890 is found. This allowed Rasmussen and West to make the connection between this copy of the First Folio and one of its owners, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer. In fact, the catalogue of the event only records one displayed First Folio which was lent by the Earl Spencer who, at the time, was John Poyntz Spencer. The volume also contains a bookplate which indicates that Charles Butler was the next owner of this copy. His library was sold in 1911 and the First Folio purchased by Quaritch who then sold it to the Folgers for $660. The preliminary pages as well as the last leaf of Cymbeline, the last play, have been replaced by facsimiles. Other missing leaves in this volume have been inserted from other First Folios or substituted by manuscript facsimile.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. In this volume, an early reader has signed her name: “Jane Katherin” (bbb1r). Another name appears on a loose flyleaf of an older binding: “William Vaughan Esqr”. At the end of the volume, a label recording an exhibition of the Royal House of Tudor, London, 1889-1890 is found. This allowed Rasmussen and West to make the connection between this copy of the First Folio and one of its owners, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer. In fact, the catalogue of the event only records one displayed First Folio which was lent by the Earl Spencer who, at the time, was John Poyntz Spencer. The volume also contains a bookplate which indicates that Charles Butler was the next owner of this copy. His library was sold in 1911 and the First Folio purchased by Quaritch who then sold it to the Folgers for $660. The preliminary pages as well as the last leaf of Cymbeline, the last play, have been replaced by facsimiles. Other missing leaves in this volume have been inserted from other First Folios or substituted by manuscript facsimile.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This volume came to America when Sidney Smith Rider, bookseller and antiquarian, imported it. He had a large book collection which, except for the First Folio, was donated to Brown University Library in 1903. This copy was then owned by Henry Gardner Denny, a lawyer and book collector. He was active in community and government affairs and defended the liberal arts throughout his life. Rasmussen and West report that “he was so concerned about the quality of handwriting being taught in America at the time that he arranged to have an English writing- master come to Boston and teach proper penmanship” (420). This First Folio is also known as the “complete set” copy because it was sold together with a copy of the Second, Third and Fourth Folios, which the Folgers acquired in 1906. However complete the set might be, the First Folio itself is missing its original preliminary pages as well as the first six leaves of The Tempest and the last five of Cymbeline which have all been replaced with facsimiles. It also has other defective leaves within the volume and two of these have been substituted with handwritten facsimiles.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This volume came to America when Sidney Smith Rider, bookseller and antiquarian, imported it. He had a large book collection which, except for the First Folio, was donated to Brown University Library in 1903. This copy was then owned by Henry Gardner Denny, a lawyer and book collector. He was active in community and government affairs and defended the liberal arts throughout his life. Rasmussen and West report that “he was so concerned about the quality of handwriting being taught in America at the time that he arranged to have an English writing- master come to Boston and teach proper penmanship” (420). This First Folio is also known as the “complete set” copy because it was sold together with a copy of the Second, Third and Fourth Folios, which the Folgers acquired in 1906. However complete the set might be, the First Folio itself is missing its original preliminary pages as well as the first six leaves of The Tempest and the last five of Cymbeline which have all been replaced with facsimiles. It also has other defective leaves within the volume and two of these have been substituted with handwritten facsimiles.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This is the fourth copy acquired by the Folgers and cost only $561, a price considered as a bargain. Prior to the Folgers, the volume was owned successively by Francis B. Hayes Sr and Francis B. Hayes Jr. Hayes Sr was involved in politics and was a Republican candidate for a Congressional seat when he unexpectedly died. He was also a rare books collector, and his collection was auctioned in 1898 after Hayes Jr. died. In this copy, stage directions were altered and added to The Tempest, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Cymbeline by an early reader. Four preliminary leaves, the title page and two pages of Cymbeline are missing and have been replaced by printed facsimile. Other sixteen missing leaves have been replaced by original leaves from another First Folio.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This is the fourth copy acquired by the Folgers and cost only $561, a price considered as a bargain. Prior to the Folgers, the volume was owned successively by Francis B. Hayes Sr and Francis B. Hayes Jr. Hayes Sr was involved in politics and was a Republican candidate for a Congressional seat when he unexpectedly died. He was also a rare books collector, and his collection was auctioned in 1898 after Hayes Jr. died. In this copy, stage directions were altered and added to The Tempest, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Cymbeline by an early reader. Four preliminary leaves, the title page and two pages of Cymbeline are missing and have been replaced by printed facsimile. Other sixteen missing leaves have been replaced by original leaves from another First Folio.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy may have been owned by Thomas Polwhele, Esq. as the signature would suggest. Thomas Polwhele was part of a well-respected Cornwall family who had ties to Exeter College, Oxford. The volume was sold in 1908 to Alexander Smith Cochran who resold it back to Quartich when he acquired a better First Folio. In 1912, the Folgers were able to purchase this copy for $7,500. Manuscript stage directions, notes and revisions found in As You Like It and King Lear suggest that this copy may have at some point belonged to a director or an editor. Original proofreader’s marks can be found in one of Romeo and Juliet’s leaves. Ben Jonson’s “To the Reader” has been supplied in facsimile and at least five leaves have been provided by original leaves from other First Folios.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy may have been owned by Thomas Polwhele, Esq. as the signature would suggest. Thomas Polwhele was part of a well-respected Cornwall family who had ties to Exeter College, Oxford. The volume was sold in 1908 to Alexander Smith Cochran who resold it back to Quartich when he acquired a better First Folio. In 1912, the Folgers were able to purchase this copy for $7,500. Manuscript stage directions, notes and revisions found in As You Like It and King Lear suggest that this copy may have at some point belonged to a director or an editor. Original proofreader’s marks can be found in one of Romeo and Juliet’s leaves. Ben Jonson’s “To the Reader” has been supplied in facsimile and at least five leaves have been provided by original leaves from other First Folios.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy used to belong to Mrs Mary Lewis who, in 1685, signed and dated it: “Mrs. Mary Lewis 1685” and “Mrs Mary Lewis her booke Aprill ye 27th 1685”. This copy is an example of early modern women engaging with the text as Mary Lewis annotated several of the plays. Several manicules can also be found in the text, notably in Hamlet (nn6). Since Mary Lewis, no other owners have been identified until, in 1911, the Folgers purchased this copy for $2,500. The current binding dates back to the early nineteenth century and was made by George Orrock in Edinburgh.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy used to belong to Mrs Mary Lewis who, in 1685, signed and dated it: “Mrs. Mary Lewis 1685” and “Mrs Mary Lewis her booke Aprill ye 27th 1685”. This copy is an example of early modern women engaging with the text as Mary Lewis annotated several of the plays. Several manicules can also be found in the text, notably in Hamlet (nn6). Since Mary Lewis, no other owners have been identified until, in 1911, the Folgers purchased this copy for $2,500. The current binding dates back to the early nineteenth century and was made by George Orrock in Edinburgh.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy was acquired by the Hutchinson family during the mid-seventeenth century and remained in the family until, in 1913, the Folgers bought it for $3,950. The first member of the Hutchinson family to have owned the copy was Colonel John Hutchinson. He was a Puritan and had a significant role in the English Civil War, including being one of the signers of the death warrant of King Charles I. His wife, Lucy Hutchinson, was a writer and translator. She wrote about her husband’s life and the text was published in 1806 by one of his descendants, Reverend Julius Hutchinson. The copy records signatures of two of John’s nieces: Elizabeth Hutchinson and Olivera Cotton, who was John’s sister’s daughter. Numerous notes by early readers can be found in the Comedies and the Histories. One of the family members and owner of this copy, Captain Charles Hutchinson, had the volume rebound and restored some of the missing leaves, inserting ones from other sources. However, six preliminary leaves as well as two leaves in The Tempest and Cymbeline are missing.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy was acquired by the Hutchinson family during the mid-seventeenth century and remained in the family until, in 1913, the Folgers bought it for $3,950. The first member of the Hutchinson family to have owned the copy was Colonel John Hutchinson. He was a Puritan and had a significant role in the English Civil War, including being one of the signers of the death warrant of King Charles I. His wife, Lucy Hutchinson, was a writer and translator. She wrote about her husband’s life and the text was published in 1806 by one of his descendants, Reverend Julius Hutchinson. The copy records signatures of two of John’s nieces: Elizabeth Hutchinson and Olivera Cotton, who was John’s sister’s daughter. Numerous notes by early readers can be found in the Comedies and the Histories. One of the family members and owner of this copy, Captain Charles Hutchinson, had the volume rebound and restored some of the missing leaves, inserting ones from other sources. However, six preliminary leaves as well as two leaves in The Tempest and Cymbeline are missing.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy is the very first one purchased by the Folgers in 1893. It contains early readers’ signatures: “Nicholas Hawlett James Cassall 1712” and “Edward Scarisbrick (17[?])”. Edward Scarisbrick was a Jesuit, accused of having taken part in a Catholic plot to assassinate King Charles II. These accusations came from Titus Oates who had been making them against various people and was eventually imprisoned when they were revealed to be unfounded. Scarisbrick was educated in France where he had to flee and returned to England in 1693. In this volume, the pages of The Merry Wives of Windsor have been supplied by leaves from another First Folio. Ben Jonson’s “To the Reader” and the title page are facsimiles.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy is the very first one purchased by the Folgers in 1893. It contains early readers’ signatures: “Nicholas Hawlett James Cassall 1712” and “Edward Scarisbrick (17[?])”. Edward Scarisbrick was a Jesuit, accused of having taken part in a Catholic plot to assassinate King Charles II. These accusations came from Titus Oates who had been making them against various people and was eventually imprisoned when they were revealed to be unfounded. Scarisbrick was educated in France where he had to flee and returned to England in 1693. In this volume, the pages of The Merry Wives of Windsor have been supplied by leaves from another First Folio. Ben Jonson’s “To the Reader” and the title page are facsimiles.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This First Folio is known as the “scissors” copy because, in the seventeenth century, an owner or binder forgot a pair of scissors in the volume which has left traces still visible today. This copy contains the inscriptions “Jos. Berwick’s Book”, possibly a Sheriff of Worcester and Receiver General of Worcester in 1782 and 1787 respectively, and “John Rice”. Facsimiles supply the missing leaves of Ben Jonson’s “To the Reader”, the title page and the last two leaves of Cymbeline, the First Folio’s last play. Other missing leaves in the Tragedies have been substituted with original leaves coming from other First Folios. In 1910, the copy was acquired by the Folgers for $3,060.
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This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This First Folio is known as the “scissors” copy because, in the seventeenth century, an owner or binder forgot a pair of scissors in the volume which has left traces still visible today. This copy contains the inscriptions “Jos. Berwick’s Book”, possibly a Sheriff of Worcester and Receiver General of Worcester in 1782 and 1787 respectively, and “John Rice”. Facsimiles supply the missing leaves of Ben Jonson’s “To the Reader”, the title page and the last two leaves of Cymbeline, the First Folio’s last play. Other missing leaves in the Tragedies have been substituted with original leaves coming from other First Folios. In 1910, the copy was acquired by the Folgers for $3,060.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy was presented to the Plymouth Public Library by Mrs. Fortescue and Mrs. Gillis in 1829. The volume was first easily accessible to the public until a note above the bookplate was added and which reads: “Not. To. Circulate | 7 Days”. The library became The Proprietary and Cottonian Libraries in 1881 and kept this First Folio until 1913 when the Folgers bought it for $255. This copy was originally sold without Troilus and Cressida, the play having been licensed only later in the printing process. A facsimile was later added to the volume. Twenty-two other leaves are likely to have come from the First Folio’s 1807 facsimile, the first one to have been produced. A reader wrote about Measure for Measure: “/A good One/” (F1r).
Folger 59
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy was presented to the Plymouth Public Library by Mrs. Fortescue and Mrs. Gillis in 1829. The volume was first easily accessible to the public until a note above the bookplate was added and which reads: “Not. To. Circulate | 7 Days”. The library became The Proprietary and Cottonian Libraries in 1881 and kept this First Folio until 1913 when the Folgers bought it for $255. This copy was originally sold without Troilus and Cressida, the play having been licensed only later in the printing process. A facsimile was later added to the volume. Twenty-two other leaves are likely to have come from the First Folio’s 1807 facsimile, the first one to have been produced. A reader wrote about Measure for Measure: “/A good One/” (F1r).
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. As Rasmussen and West state, this copy’s specificity lies in the fact that it contains “the fewest number of press variants in the first state, with only a single page, vv2v in Othello, in the uncorrected state” (487). Facsimiles replace Ben Jonson’s “To the Reader”, the title page and the last leaf of Cymbeline, the First Folio’s last play. Four missing leaves have been supplied by original ones from other First Folios. This copy was acquired by Reverend Dr. Frederick Bulley from Joseph Lilly, London bookseller, in 1870. Reverend Dr. Bulley was President of Magdalen College in Oxford. After he died, the Folio passed on to his wife who sold it to the Folgers in 1916 for $6,000.
Folger 61
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. As Rasmussen and West state, this copy’s specificity lies in the fact that it contains “the fewest number of press variants in the first state, with only a single page, vv2v in Othello, in the uncorrected state” (487). Facsimiles replace Ben Jonson’s “To the Reader”, the title page and the last leaf of Cymbeline, the First Folio’s last play. Four missing leaves have been supplied by original ones from other First Folios. This copy was acquired by Reverend Dr. Frederick Bulley from Joseph Lilly, London bookseller, in 1870. Reverend Dr. Bulley was President of Magdalen College in Oxford. After he died, the Folio passed on to his wife who sold it to the Folgers in 1916 for $6,000.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. Not much about previous ownership is known for this copy. In 1916, the Folgers purchased this copy through George D. Smith for about $3,000. They had to acquire it together with a Second and Fourth Folio from Smith as a package deal. A note now conserved at the Shakespeare Folger Library states that Folger only wanted to buy the First Folio but did not succeed. All the preliminary pages are missing as well as the last two leaves of Cymbeline and are replaced by facsimile. Some other damages have been completed in manuscript. The facsimile pages of this copy bear the watermark “Shakespeare”, which also appears in other facsimile leaves in other Folios. This is the same paper that was used to produce the 1806 Wright facsimile of the First Folio. This suggest that these pages were easily accessible to complete damaged copies.
Folger 62
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. Not much about previous ownership is known for this copy. In 1916, the Folgers purchased this copy through George D. Smith for about $3,000. They had to acquire it together with a Second and Fourth Folio from Smith as a package deal. A note now conserved at the Shakespeare Folger Library states that Folger only wanted to buy the First Folio but did not succeed. All the preliminary pages are missing as well as the last two leaves of Cymbeline and are replaced by facsimile. Some other damages have been completed in manuscript. The facsimile pages of this copy bear the watermark “Shakespeare”, which also appears in other facsimile leaves in other Folios. This is the same paper that was used to produce the 1806 Wright facsimile of the First Folio. This suggest that these pages were easily accessible to complete damaged copies.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This book was in the Fitzherbert family for many generations since 1780 when Sir William Fitzherbert, first baronet, acquired it. The Folgers purchased this volume at an auction in 1924 for $7,400. Similarly to the 5089 copy, a rusty outline of an early pair of scissors can be seen in the volume. This copy does not miss many leaves and has been mostly untouched. Two signatures can be found in this First Folio: “Tho. Shrimpton” and “J. Tonstall”. As Rasmussen and West note, whereas the first one as not yet been traced, the second one may have been written by Sir James Tonstall, who was an actor of the Elizabethan stage. Tonstall played with the Worcester’s Men in 1583 where he became friends with Edward Alleyn who was beginning his career and, between 1589 to 1597, with the Admiral’s Men.
Folger 67
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This book was in the Fitzherbert family for many generations since 1780 when Sir William Fitzherbert, first baronet, acquired it. The Folgers purchased this volume at an auction in 1924 for $7,400. Similarly to the 5089 copy, a rusty outline of an early pair of scissors can be seen in the volume. This copy does not miss many leaves and has been mostly untouched. Two signatures can be found in this First Folio: “Tho. Shrimpton” and “J. Tonstall”. As Rasmussen and West note, whereas the first one as not yet been traced, the second one may have been written by Sir James Tonstall, who was an actor of the Elizabethan stage. Tonstall played with the Worcester’s Men in 1583 where he became friends with Edward Alleyn who was beginning his career and, between 1589 to 1597, with the Admiral’s Men.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This volume was part of the Wodehouse family library since 1838, indicating that its first known owner was John Wodehouse, 2nd Baron Wodehouse of Kimberley. The 3rd Baron Wodehouse and 1st Earl of Kimberley also named John Wodehouse became, as Rasmussen and West recall, “a prominent Liberal member of the House of Lords” and “served in various high-level positions during William Gladstone’s tenures as Prime Minister” (510). He believed that the society could be improved by providing a better education and took important roles in various institutions such as at the University of London and University College, London. He was also colonial secretary when diamond deposits were discovered in South Africa and an early mining camp was named Kimberley after him. The Folgers acquired it for $37,000 from Bernard Quaritch Ltd in 1924. It is the fifth highest price paid by Henry and Emily Folger for a First Folio. Many passages throughout the text have been highlighted in brown ink, sometimes several lines at a time.
Folger 68
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This volume was part of the Wodehouse family library since 1838, indicating that its first known owner was John Wodehouse, 2nd Baron Wodehouse of Kimberley. The 3rd Baron Wodehouse and 1st Earl of Kimberley also named John Wodehouse became, as Rasmussen and West recall, “a prominent Liberal member of the House of Lords” and “served in various high-level positions during William Gladstone’s tenures as Prime Minister” (510). He believed that the society could be improved by providing a better education and took important roles in various institutions such as at the University of London and University College, London. He was also colonial secretary when diamond deposits were discovered in South Africa and an early mining camp was named Kimberley after him. The Folgers acquired it for $37,000 from Bernard Quaritch Ltd in 1924. It is the fifth highest price paid by Henry and Emily Folger for a First Folio. Many passages throughout the text have been highlighted in brown ink, sometimes several lines at a time.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy’s first owner is traceable through his signature “Tho: Longe P[re]tium 15s”. Thomas Longe was a fellow at All Soul’s College in Oxford and later Vicar of Eynsham, Oxfordshire. His is not the only signature in the volume. Another one, although partially cut off, reads “Mary Wat[kin?] 1695”. Whereas Thomas Longe bought this First Folio for 15 shillings, Henry and Emily Folger had to spend $22,750 in 1922. They first thought that this was one of the copies printed and sold before Troilus and Cressida was licensed. When they discovered that this was not the case, they negotiated the price for it. Leaves from another First Folio supply the missing title page, two other preliminary leaves and eight leaves from The Taming of the Shrew, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet. Ten missing pages in Cymbeline were replaced by leaves from a Second Folio, which were forged to look like First Folio pages.
Folger 71
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. This copy’s first owner is traceable through his signature “Tho: Longe P[re]tium 15s”. Thomas Longe was a fellow at All Soul’s College in Oxford and later Vicar of Eynsham, Oxfordshire. His is not the only signature in the volume. Another one, although partially cut off, reads “Mary Wat[kin?] 1695”. Whereas Thomas Longe bought this First Folio for 15 shillings, Henry and Emily Folger had to spend $22,750 in 1922. They first thought that this was one of the copies printed and sold before Troilus and Cressida was licensed. When they discovered that this was not the case, they negotiated the price for it. Leaves from another First Folio supply the missing title page, two other preliminary leaves and eight leaves from The Taming of the Shrew, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet. Ten missing pages in Cymbeline were replaced by leaves from a Second Folio, which were forged to look like First Folio pages.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. The inscription “Rachell Paule” can be found on the back of this copy’s title leaf. Rachel Paule was William Paule’s wife and the daughter of a wealthy merchant from the seventeenth century. Later owners of this copy are Orlando Watkin Weld-Forester, 4th Baron Forester and his son, Cecil Theodore Weld-Forester, 5th Baron Forester. The volume was then probably inherited by Lieutenant Colonel George Cecil Beaumont Weld-Forester who sold it. The Folgers acquired it in 1926 for $41,000, one of the most expensive price they paid for a First Folio. The price is partially explained because of the rarity of this copy. In fact, this is one of the first state copies that was printed and sold before Troilus and Cressida was licensed. As a result, the play was originally entirely missing from this copy, although a later owner or bookseller completed the volume with leaves from another First Folio. Because of the size difference of the inserted leaves and the trimming they underwent during the binding process, Troilus and Cressida has smaller leaves than the other ones in the volume.
Folger 72
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. The inscription “Rachell Paule” can be found on the back of this copy’s title leaf. Rachel Paule was William Paule’s wife and the daughter of a wealthy merchant from the seventeenth century. Later owners of this copy are Orlando Watkin Weld-Forester, 4th Baron Forester and his son, Cecil Theodore Weld-Forester, 5th Baron Forester. The volume was then probably inherited by Lieutenant Colonel George Cecil Beaumont Weld-Forester who sold it. The Folgers acquired it in 1926 for $41,000, one of the most expensive price they paid for a First Folio. The price is partially explained because of the rarity of this copy. In fact, this is one of the first state copies that was printed and sold before Troilus and Cressida was licensed. As a result, the play was originally entirely missing from this copy, although a later owner or bookseller completed the volume with leaves from another First Folio. Because of the size difference of the inserted leaves and the trimming they underwent during the binding process, Troilus and Cressida has smaller leaves than the other ones in the volume.
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. The earliest known owner of this copy is Dr Clement Mansfield Ingleby, educated as a mathematician and lawyer but also passionate about literature. Ingleby published about John Payne Collier’s forgeries in various works, notably The Shakespeare Fabrications (1859) and A Complete View of the Shakespeare Controversy (1860). His research on the Perkins Second Folio helped Sir Frederick Madden and a team from the British Museum to conclude that Collier had made the annotations and corrections present in the volume himself. The Folgers acquired this copy in 1928 during the sale of Ingleby’s books. This copy misses its first seven preliminary leaves, as well as two leaves from Henry VIII, ten leaves from Othello and Cymbeline. All of these missing leaves have been supplied by either original ones from other First Folios or facsimiles.
Folger 77
This is one of the eighty-two copies currently owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library, owner of the largest collection in the world. The collection was acquired by Henry and Emily Folger between 1893 and 1928. The earliest known owner of this copy is Dr Clement Mansfield Ingleby, educated as a mathematician and lawyer but also passionate about literature. Ingleby published about John Payne Collier’s forgeries in various works, notably The Shakespeare Fabrications (1859) and A Complete View of the Shakespeare Controversy (1860). His research on the Perkins Second Folio helped Sir Frederick Madden and a team from the British Museum to conclude that Collier had made the annotations and corrections present in the volume himself. The Folgers acquired this copy in 1928 during the sale of Ingleby’s books. This copy misses its first seven preliminary leaves, as well as two leaves from Henry VIII, ten leaves from Othello and Cymbeline. All of these missing leaves have been supplied by either original ones from other First Folios or facsimiles.