Introduction

Shakespeare's Droeshout Portrait, originally published in the First Folio, is still a common feature in most complete editions of his works.

At some point between summer and autumn 1623, William Jaggard's son, Isaac, finished assembling a book that would have an impact in the world far beyond what he could possibly imagine. It had not been an easy job. It took about two years to complete, with no little cost, disputes with other publishers, and uncertainty about future sales. After all, plays were usually printed in cheap quarto format, instead of costly folio editions such as the one on which he had been working. It was a gamble.

Two years earlier, William Jaggard, printer, at the sign of the Half-Eagle and Key in the Barbican, was approached by two members of the King's Men, Shakespeare's Theatre Company, John Heminges and Henry Condell. They wished to publish a collection of Shakespeare’s' plays in a single, imposing volume. William Jaggard took the commission.

Unfortunately, however, he died just before the enterprise was completed and it fell to his son, Isaac, to finish the job and give the world the book we now call Shakespeare’s First Folio. Isaac's job was done. The job of scholars, historians, and future editors was about to begin.

This online exhibition is a celebration of the publication of the First Folio (F1). It was curated to tell a story of the editing of Shakespeare that started with Heminges and Condell and has stretched now for 400 years. The first section focuses on the 17th century Folio editions. After the publication of the Fourth Folio and from the 18th century onwards the practice of publishing the plays in a single volume was replaced by the publication of multiple volume editions. It is only later in the 20th century that the idea of collecting Shakespeare's dramatic and poetic writing into one single book is brought back to life. The second section of the exhibition focuses on three complete editions that have become instrumental for our understanding of Shakespeare's work in the 21st century. Finally, we hear from the editors of these three major editions themselves as they kindly agreed to share their views on the immense task of following on the steps of the First Folio editors.