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The Merchant of Venice
by SHAKESPEARE, William (1564-1616)
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
New York, New York, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Printed by Tho. Cotes, 1632. Folio. (12 1/8 x 8 1/2 inches). 163-184pp. Expertly bound to style in panelled calf, covers tooled in blind, upper cover lettered in gilt
Rare and coveted second folio edition of Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' showcases the Bard's masterful blend of drama and comedy, exploring themes of love, justice, and prejudice that still resonate with audiences today.
Shakespeare's famed four folios comprise the first four editions of his collected plays, all printed in the 17th century. The Second Folio of 1632, like the First Folio of 1623, contains 36 plays. It is estimated that fewer than 1000 copies of the Second Folio were printed and fewer than 200 copies are in existence today. "The Merchant of Venice" follows a merchant named Antonio who, in helping his friend Bassanio court a love interest named Portia, takes out a loan from a Jewish moneylender named Shylock who asks that Antonio give him a "pound of flesh" as collateral against the loan. Portia and Bassanio successfully marry, but drama ensues when Antonio realizes he cannot repay the loan. The Shakespeare Folios have "an aura of book magic about them. For a bibliophile it is a volume devoutly to be wished for and rarely attained; to a library it is a crowning jewel of a collection. Shakespeare, indeed, is a name to conjure with. No lengthy explanations are needed; he is simply the most distinguished author in the English language" (Wolf).
STC 22274a. Pforzheimer 906. Greg III, 1113-1116. Jaggard, 496; Wolf, Legacies of Genius 36.
Rare and coveted second folio edition of Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' showcases the Bard's masterful blend of drama and comedy, exploring themes of love, justice, and prejudice that still resonate with audiences today.
Shakespeare's famed four folios comprise the first four editions of his collected plays, all printed in the 17th century. The Second Folio of 1632, like the First Folio of 1623, contains 36 plays. It is estimated that fewer than 1000 copies of the Second Folio were printed and fewer than 200 copies are in existence today. "The Merchant of Venice" follows a merchant named Antonio who, in helping his friend Bassanio court a love interest named Portia, takes out a loan from a Jewish moneylender named Shylock who asks that Antonio give him a "pound of flesh" as collateral against the loan. Portia and Bassanio successfully marry, but drama ensues when Antonio realizes he cannot repay the loan. The Shakespeare Folios have "an aura of book magic about them. For a bibliophile it is a volume devoutly to be wished for and rarely attained; to a library it is a crowning jewel of a collection. Shakespeare, indeed, is a name to conjure with. No lengthy explanations are needed; he is simply the most distinguished author in the English language" (Wolf).
STC 22274a. Pforzheimer 906. Greg III, 1113-1116. Jaggard, 496; Wolf, Legacies of Genius 36.
Synopsis
An international team of scholars offers: • modernised, easily accessible texts • ample but unobtrusive academic guidance • attention to the theatrical qualities of each play and its stage history • informative illustrations, including reconstructions of early performances The Merchant of Venice has been performed more often than any other comedy by Shakespeare. This edition pays special attention to the expectations of its first audience, and to our modern experience of seeing and hearing the play
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Details
- Bookseller
- Donald Heald Rare Books
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 37808
- Title
- The Merchant of Venice
- Author
- SHAKESPEARE, William (1564-1616)
- Format/Binding
- Folio
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- Printed by Tho. Cotes
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1632
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
- Bookseller catalogs
- Miscellany;
Terms of Sale
Donald Heald Rare Books
All items are guaranteed as described. Any purchase may be returned for a full refund within 10 working days as long as it is returned in the same condition and is packed and shipped correctly.
About the Seller
Donald Heald Rare Books
Biblio member since 2006
New York, New York
About Donald Heald Rare Books
Donald Heald Rare Books, Prints, and Maps offers the finest examples of antiquarian books and prints in the areas of botany, ornithology, natural history, Americana and Canadiana, Native American, voyage and travel, maps and atlases, photography, and more. We are open by appointment only.
Glossary
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This Book’s Categories
- Fiction & Literature Classic Literature
- Fiction & Literature English Fiction
- Fiction & Literature Individual Authors
- Fiction & Literature Individual Authors James Joyce William Shakespeare
- Fiction & Literature Literary Studies Literary Criticism
- Children & Juvenile Juvenile & Young Adult Juvenile Fiction & Literature
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