The Shakespeare Folio Handbook And Census

A study and catalogue of the four 17th-century editions of Shakespeare known as the folios, the earliest surviving texts of the plays. It covers their origins, market value, bindings, and how libraries came to acquire them, as well as assessing their importance to Shakespearean criticism. A comprehensive reference to the four 17th-century editions of William Shakespeare's collected plays known as the folios.

Along with the quartos, these works are highly valued as the earliest surviving texts of the plays and are frequently cited and discussed in textual studies and general criticism. As an introductory study of these editions, this book focuses on how the folios have travelled over time, where they can be found today, and how they have been valued monetarily.

It is the first census of Shakespeare folios conducted in the last fifty years, and it is thought to be the first handbook to these important texts ever compiled. The book describes the four editions, explains their significance, and traces their market value over time. In addition, a census shows which libraries in the United States hold folios, the chronological movement of the copies to the US, and some specific details on each copy.

Also included are a biographical dictionary, which offers information on publishers, editors, collectors, and major scholars important to the folios, descriptions of famous copies, a list of donors, discussions of folio lore and bindings, and a bibliography. An important reference for all Shakespeare collections, this book will be a valuable resource for courses in Shakespearian history and the history of books and printing.

It will also be an important addition to both academic and public libraries. Review: ?A detailed reference to the four 17th century editions of Shakespeare's plays. Includes a chronology of events related to the folios, the movement and 1989 census of copies in America, the history of sales and prices, brief biofraphies of the publishers, printers, booksellers, etc., and many anecdotes about particular copies.?-Reference Research Book News