The Norton Facsimile, The First Folio of Shakespeare

New York: W.W. Norton & Company 1996 Second Edition, The Folio Society Edition of l000 numbered copies of which this #565 xxxvii/928pp., 14 x 9 1/2 (folio), half black morocco (Wassa goatskin back strip & corners") on marbled paper covered boards, top edge gilt with dark green endpapers in slip case with black cloth covered ends and green paper sides and titled in gold 'Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies Pulifhed according to the True Originall Copies."' CONDITION: FINE, just a trace of scuffing on the leather corners o/w an excellent copy, fine condition in fine slipcase NOTES - Based on folios in the Folger Shakespeare Library Collection, The Norton Facsimile prepared by Charlton Hinman and with a new introduction by Peter W. M. Blayney. The facsimile is an "ideal copy" in which each page represents the best page selected from one of the 29 most satisfactory copies of the 80 or so first folios in the Folger Shakespeare Library. This second edition reprints the introductory matter from the 1968 first edition, but adds an important new introduction by Peter Blayney reflecting more recent scholarship. Contents comprise: Preface; Introduction to the First Edition by Charlton Hinman ( I. The First Folio and Its Contents: The Value and Authority of the Text; II. The Printing and Proofing; III. The Facsimile; IV. Appendix A). Introduction to the Second Edition by Peter W. M. Blayney ( I. The First Folio and Its Publishers; II. The Players and Their Manuscripts; III. The Proofreading; IV. The Printing. Compositor Attributions.) Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. Appendices: A. Some Variant States of the Folio Text. B. Folger Copies were used. This book weighs about 9 pounds.