Shakespeare, William

Folio (337 x 215mm.), the second collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays and the first appearance in print of John Milton, letterpress title with engraved portrait by Martin Droeshout, woodcut head-pieces and initials, text in double column, roman and italic type, headlines and catchwords, nineteenth century, red morocco gilt signed by F. Bedford, spine gilt in compartments with flower and crown ornaments, triple rule and saw-tooth rule on covers, floral turn-ins in gilt, marbled endpapers, gilt edges, collector’s red cloth chemise and red morocco-backed slipcase, preliminary leaves (comprising [pi]A6 and *4) are supplied from another copy (or copies) and extended at the lower edge together with restoration towards gutter, ‘To the Reader’ leaf ([pi]A1) inlaid with two words in final two lines supplied in pen facsimile, leaves S3 and S4 restored at outer edge, leaves S4 and V5 short at lower edge and possibly supplied, minor burn-holes affecting text on A3, bb5, c3, e3 i1 and ee4, rust mark affecting single word on p3, paper flaw to zz6, leaves bbb1-ddd4 supplied with new margins, all lightly washed and pressed, some minor marks to covers, extremities slightly rubbed, upper hinge split

Joseph Harrison of Samlesbury Hall, Lancashire (later owner's note of provenance); Sotheran's (later owner's note of provenance);  Paulin Martin, Abingdon (bookplate, dated 24 November 1882); Bernard Quaritch Ltd (collation note on rear endpaper); Christie's, 20 November 2002, lot 68

STC 22274a; Greg III, pp. 1113-1115; Bartlett 120; Pforzheimer 906; Todd, Studies in Bibliography, Vol. V., 1952, pp. 81-108

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The second folio of Shakespeare’s works, the most important collection of texts in English literature, and containing the first appearance in print of John Milton. The present copy is a remarkably tall copy.

The second folio was, essentially, a page-for-page reprint of the first folio of 1623. It was printed by Thomas Cotes in 1632 who had taken over the Isaac Jaggard shop following the printer’s death in 1627. As with the first folio it was printed for a syndicate of publishers.

The title-page included here is Greg’s first variant imprint (“to be sold at the signe | of the Blacke Beare in Pauls Church-yard. 1632.”) The ‘Effigies’ leaf ([pi]A5) is present in the third setting.

As noted by M.W. Black and M.A. Shaaber in Shakespeare’s Seventeenth-Century Editors, 1937 (and quoted by Greg): ‘though many errors were introduced in the course of reprinting, the text of the present edition shows signs of careful, if unauthoritative, revision’