new issue discovered the “First Folio” of Shakespeare – SIC News

Emma Smith, a professor of Shakespearean studies in Oxford, confirmed the authenticity of the “First Folio”, found in the collections of Mount Stuart library, an imposing Victorian mansion on the Scottish Isle of Bute.

The discovery brings to 234 the number of copies worldwide of this unique compilation of Shakespeare’s plays, printed in 1623.

“This folio is unusual because it is in three volumes and has many blank pages, provided for illustrations “said Emma Smith in a statement released by the British university.

a copy of Mount Stuart belonged to Issac Reed, a well-known literary editor of London of the 18th century, said Smith. A letter from Reed reveals that the publisher bought this piece in 1796 and other records show that changed hands for the initials “JW” for 38 pounds.

After this sale no more folio records, not it was included in Sidney Lee census 1906 on the number of first folios of Shakespeare’s work, so it was somewhere between these two dates that the copy was stop Mount Stuart, who relates a 1896 library catalog.

Mount Stuart exemplary discovery occurs days before the celebration of the fourth centenary of William Shakespeare’s death, for which is planned a series of events, including the “complete Walk” (full motion) a free show in London on the south bank of the Thames, will present at the end weekend of 23 and 24 April, 37 short films of 10 minutes on each of the works of Shakespeare.

First Shakespeare Folio was compiled after his death on April 23, 1616 – the date generally accepted as just a playwright’s funeral records on April 25 – by two of his fellow actors, John Heminge and Henry Condell, and published in 1623.

the book contains the full text of 36 of the playwright parts. The main editors were Edward Blount (1565–1632), a bookseller and editor of London, and Isaac Jaggard (died 1627), son of William Jaggard (around 1568-1623), editor and long associated printer Shakespeare’s date, who died in the year that the folio was produced.

the number of printed copies of the First folio is unknown. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, United States, has in its 82 copies of the First Folio collection, which is the largest collection in the world.

Lusa