THE FIRST FACSIMILE EDITION OF SHAKESPEARE'S FIRST FOLIO, 1807
SHAKESPEARE. Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. Published according to the True Originall Copies. [London: E. & J. Wright, 1807]. Folio (9-1/2 by 15 inches), contemporary full blind-tooled calf neatly rebacked with original elaborately blind-tooled spine neatly laid down, raised bands.
The first reprint of the first edition of Shakespeare's plays in its original form. An attractive copy in contemporary blind-tooled calf.
The first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays published in 1623 may be the single most important book in English literature. This first facsimile edition was printed on paper "specially made, and bears the watermark of 'Shakespeare 1806'" (Jaggard, 510). This copy with J. Whatman's "Shakespeare" watermarks dated 1806 and 1807.
Interior clean and fine, a few minor rubs and scuffs to binding. An attractive copy.