Title: Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies. Published according to the true Original Copies. Unto which is added, Seven Plays, never before Printed in Folio... The Fourth Edition, 1685
Author: William Shakespeare
Publisher: London, printed for H. Herringman, E. Brewster, R.
Chiswell
Condition: Very Good
The fourth folio edition of William Shakespeare’s Complete Plays, being the largest of all the folio editions, and the most correct typographically. Traditionally, there are 38 plays by Shakespeare, but this edition features 7 additional plays, including Pericles Prince of Tyre, The London Prodigal, The History of Thomas Lord Cromwel, Sir John Oldcastle Lord Cobham, The Puritan Widow, A Yorkshire Tragedy, and The Tragedy of Locrine, all bearing various attributions or being contributive efforts.
The title page in this copy is the earlier state without Chiswell's name. Three issues of the Fourth Folio have been identified, differing only in the titlepage; the present copy is purportedly the first issue, before Chiswell’s name was added to the imprint (see Pforzheimer). Jaggard p. 496; Pforzheimer 910; Wing 2916. [66359]
This volume bears the early ownership inscription on the title page of one "Robt. Orme", most likely Robert Orme (1728-1801), historian of India who wrote A History of the Military Transactions of the British nation in Indostan (London, 1763-1778). A renowned book collector, Orme sold part of his library at Sotheby's at around April 1796.
Eighteen other leaves with notes and annotations include Z3, MM2, Hh5, Ll1, Mm4, Nn6, Pp3, Tt1, Uu2-Uu4, XX1, EEE4-5, Ddd2, Ddd5, Eee6, Ggg1, Yyy6, and Bbbb1.
9 leaves are in facsimile, being the portrait of Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout, leaf A2, A3, and 4B2-4C2.
An additional 8 leaves, being A1, A4 2U2-2U5, 3E4-3E5, and 4B1, have been supplied from another (shorter) copy.
The volume has been more recently rebound in full paneled calf.
One finely bound volume in folio (36 x 22.4 cm), (12), 106, 109-254, 243, 254- 272, (2), 1-328, 1-303, (1) pages
There is minimal rubbing or wear to the binding. The title page has been trimmed to the printed rules, with a tear at the top, and mounted for restoration. There is a rust mark from what was likely scissors between pages 110-111 of the Comedies; a small tear to the margin of leaf Z3 barely touching the printed rule; leaf 2B2 being inscribed praises for one named Jenny; a small tear to leaf 2H2 at the bottom, affecting several letters; an ink splash to leaf 2N3; a small hole to the top of 2X1 affecting a headline; a longer tear to leaf 3G1 without text loss; and a small burn hole to 3Y6. There is minor foxing and soiling throughout, a bit heavier to the supplemented leaves. Otherwise, a very good copy.