Shakespeare, William

Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies. Published according to the true Originall Copies. The second Impression. London: "Printed by Tho. Cotes, for Robert Allot,and are to be fold at the signe of the Blacke Beare in Pauls Church-yard," 1632 (colophon: Printed at London by Thomas Cotes, for John Smethwick, William Aspley, Richard Hawkins, Richard Meighen, and Robert Allot, 1632)



Folio (12 3/8 x 8 1/4 in.; 314 x 210 mm). Engraved portrait of Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout on title-page, leaf of Ben Jonson's verses "To the Reader" facing title-page, ornamental woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces, collation: A6, *4, A-Bb6, Cc2; a-y6; aa-ccc6, ddd4=454 leaves, text in double columns; preliminary and final leaves skilfully washed, A1 "To the Reader" has small calligraphic 'T' written in a 16mm square in upper margin and two small pen-trials effaced in lower blank region, A2-4 has two tiny diagonal creases at lower edge extending about 1 1/4 inches toward gutter margin, A2 title has contemporary inscription (now obscure) and signature in upper margin, A3 dedication leaf signed "A2" on paper with watermark of a small fleur-de-lys (Heawood 1420), A5 "Effigies" leaf with watermark of a large crown with fleur-de-lys (Heawood 1731), A6 Digges' verses leaf with small pot watermark, some light inkstains on a few leaves especially pages 30-33 of Coriolanus, occasional leaves lightly browned, errors in pagination neatly corrected, 18th-century notes in lower margins of some leaves in the more popular plays (Macbeth, Hamlet, etc.) expanding some obscure words. Modern red morocco, gilt-ruled triple fillet and vine borders, spine richly gilt, dentelles, all edges gilt, in a red leather drop-box, gilt-stamped title on spine; small stain on upper cover, front endleaf loose, a few scuffs on box.

William Frankland, 1st Baronet, of Thirkleby, York (his signature on title barely visible) — Paul Caesar Alther (1889–1961), property of his daughter

Greg 3:1113-1115; W.B. Todd, "The Issues and States of the Second Folio and Milton's Epitaph on Shakespeare," in Studies in Bibliography 5(1952-1953), pp. 81-108; STC 22274a

preliminary and final leaves skilfully washed, A1 "To the Reader" has small calligraphic 'T' written in a 16mm square in upper margin and two small pen-trials effaced in lower blank region, A2-4 has two tiny diagonal creases at lower edge extending about 1 1/4 inches toward gutter margin, A2 title has contemporary inscription (now obscure) and signature in upper margin, A3 dedication leaf signed "A2" on paper with watermark of a small fleur-de-lys (Heawood 1420), A5 "Effigies" leaf with watermark of a large crown with fleur-de-lys (Heawood 1731), A6 Digges' verses leaf with small pot watermark, some light inkstains on a few leaves especially pages 30-33 of Coriolanus, occasional leaves lightly browned, errors in pagination neatly corrected, 18th-century notes in lower margins of some leaves in the more popular plays (Macbeth, Hamlet, etc.) expanding some obscure words.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

First issue, first state, the second collected edition of Shakespeare's plays, a near fine copy.

The "Effigies" leaf has the first published poetry of John Milton, a 17-line epitaph for Shakespeare. The second folio, a page-for-page resetting of a corrected copy of the first folio (1623), was printed by Thomas Cotes who had taken over the Jaggard shop following Isaac's death in 1627. Like the first folio, the second was printed for a syndicate of publishers and copies are found mentioning each of them in the imprint line.