William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, 11 leaves extracted from the First Folio, red morocco gilt by Sangorski and Sutciffe

William Shakespeare

The Merchant of Venice. [London: Isaac Jaggard, 1623]

EXTRACTED FROM THE FIRST FOLIO, 11 leaves (pp. 163-184; sigs O4-Q2), additional modern manuscript title page, folio, modern red morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with spine lettered in gilt (305 x 203mm), undated typed note from Bernard Quaritch Ltd loosely inserted, marginal stains to P5r, a few border rules shaved, but generally a clean crisp copy

The quality of mercy is not strained;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath... 

THE FIRST FOLIO PRINTING OF THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. This play had first been published in quarto in 1600, and reprinted in 1619. The folio text follows that of the quartos but with additional stage directions, especially musical cues.