$6M first edition Shakespeare to be sold
A rare book of Shakespeareís plays, deemed by Sothebyís ìthe most important book in English literature,î will be put up for auction in London.
It is the first complete folio of the playwrightís work, printed in 1623, seven years after his death. It is one of a print run of 750, only a third of which have survived, most incomplete.
The book being auctioned is in remarkable condition and is expected to fetch more than £3 million ($6.1 million) at Sothebyís in London on July 13.
ìShakespeare has had a more profound and widespread impact on the artistic imagination, on language, literature and all the performing arts, than any other writer who has ever lived,” said Peter Selley, Sothebyís English literature expert.
“Relatively complete copies of the Folio in contemporary or near contemporary bindings very rarely come to the market. This sale will be a truly exceptional event.”
The folio was assembled by John Heminges and Henry Condell, actors who performed with William Shakespeare in the Kingís Men, the company he wrote for. It contains 36 plays and it was the first time that 18 of them ñ including Macbeth, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, The Taming of the Shrew and As You Like It ñ had been printed.
At the time, the folio sold for 20 shillings, the equivalent of about $200 today.
The book has annotations and markings from its readers. Some parts are highlighted and other times, texts are corrected.
The book is being sold by Dr. Williamsís Theological Library in London, which bought it from the library of another preacher in the early 18th century. The library is selling the book to secure its finances.
The book will be displayed at Sotheby’s offices in London, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Beijing and Hong Kong in April and May, ahead of the auction.
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