This month's edition of Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs features a partially complete copy of Shakespeare's 'Fourth Folio'. Printed in London in 1685, it is the last of the four 17th-century editions of his plays, the most sumptuously produced, and the version favoured by contemporary readers.
The early publication history of Shakespeare’s works is more complex than one might expect, with many assuming that the “First Folio” marked the first appearance in print of Shakespeare’s works. However, by the time of its publication in 1623, 18 of Shakespeare’s plays had already been printed in quarto format, starting with ‘Titus Andronicus’ in 1594. Four years later, in 1598, Shakespeare’s name first appeared on the title page of an edition of ‘Love’s Labours Lost’. With the appearance of the First Folio in 1623, a further 18 plays were added to the collection, bringing the total in print to 36.
LOT 188 | THE FOURTH FOLIOSHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM | DATED 1685 | £10,000 - £15,000 + fees
The Second Folio appeared in 1632 and presented the first systematic edit of Shakespeare’s works, with around 1700 changes, mainly updating the language. The Third Folio was first issued in 1663, and reissued in 1664. This edition contained “Seven playes, never before Printed in Folio”, comprising: Pericles; The London Prodigall; The History of Thomas Lord Cromwell; Sir John Oldcastle; The Puritan Widow; A Yorkshire Tragedy; and The Tragedy of Lochrine. Pericles has since been the only play which has been shown to have been, at least partly, written by Shakespeare.
The Third Folio is considered to be the rarest of the “Four Folios”. Many of the printed copies were still in storage in 1666, when the Great Fire of London ravaged the city, and are thought to have been destroyed. Consequently, the 1685 Fourth Folio can be considered the most comprehensive, (widely) available 17th century edition of the works of Shakespeare.
The copy presented for sale here is unfortunately lacking several plays, however it does contain many of Shakespeare’s now ‘famous’ works: Macbeth, Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet etc., popularised by school curriculums and Hollywood alike! It is a remarkable thought that this very book was published in London, in the same century during which William Shakespeare himself lived.
Lyon & Turnbull’s dedicated team of Rare Books, Manuscripts & Maps specialists have established an international reputation for their auctions, selling both through our UK auction house, and via live online auctions. Our specialists are experts not only on books and manuscripts, but also on current market conditions, an essential combination to the successful sale of fine antiquarian books, modern first editions, folios, autographed letters and important archives.
CATHY MARSDEN | HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
0131 557 8844
cathy.marsden@lyonandturnbull.com
DOMINIC SOMERVILLE-BROWN | RARE BOOKS & MANUSCRIPTS
0131 557 8844