Shakespeare's First Folio: Four Centuries of an Iconic Book
This comprehensive study marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio, the collected edition of his plays printed in 1623. Rather than another technical examination of textual provenance, this work presents the biography of the book itself, tracing its journey from the first purchaser in December 1623 through four centuries of cultural history.
A Book History Approach to Shakespeare
Emma Smith, Fellow and Tutor in English at Hertford College, University of Oxford, reanimates the histories of individual First Folio copies now scattered across the world. The study examines physical evidence found in these books: ink blots, pet paw prints, annotations, wine glass rings, and various bindings that reveal how different owners and readers have interacted with this iconic volume across generations.
Five Major Themes
The narrative explores owning, reading, decoding, performing, and perfecting through detailed examination of individual copies. Each theme illuminates different aspects of how the First Folio shaped Shakespeare's posthumous reputation and influenced theatrical and literary traditions. The study considers interactions between owners, readers, forgers, collectors, actors, scholars, and booksellers, creating a reception history that extends beyond traditional textual analysis.
Evidence from Individual Copies
Unlike previous scholarly investigations focused on production technicalities, this work prioritizes the physical condition, marginalia, sales history, and location of surviving copies. These details provide insight into changing priorities and contexts across four centuries, revealing how the First Folio functioned in different cultural moments and geographical locations.
Published by Oxford University Press
This hardcover edition from Oxford University Press combines rigorous scholarship with accessible narrative style. Emma Smith, who has published and lectured widely on Shakespeare and his contemporaries, brings expertise in both Renaissance literature and Shakespeare reception studies to this comprehensive examination of the book that consolidated the playwright's enduring legacy.
