Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1895 — 1628 Folio Edition of Shakspeare. [ARTICLE]

1628 Folio Edition of Shakspeare.

The first edition of Shakspeare ever published was the 1623 folio, which was issued seven years after the poet’s death. Very few copies of this editio pinceps are known to exist, and therefore the one that has lately been discovered In the university library of Padua may be regarded as a most valuable addition to our literary treasures. It is complete with the exception of the title page. The librarian found it in a box of uncatalogued books. It is thought that the loss of the title explains its having had a place in the literary treasure, for there Is a piece of paper pasted on the cover inside on which is written: “Tutte le opere di Shakspeare, Comedie e Tragedie. Manco il frontispicio. In capsa ad laevus.” (All the works of Shakspeare. Comedies and Tragedies. The frontispiece lacking. In the left-hand drawer.) The book must have belonged to an actor, as It is marked for the stage and these markings are restricted to three plays—“ Macbeth,” “Measure for Measure” and “A Winter’s Tale.” “Macbeth” is the play most annotated. The volume Is in a good state of preservation—New York Herald.