[Droeshout portrait of Shakespeare] [graphic] / Martin Droeshout sculpsit, London.

STC 22273 Fo.1 no.02, title page RESTRICTED.Review required (typical turnaround time 4 to 6 weeks). Use digital reproduction or microfilm. Original available by special permission only.

[Droeshout portrait of Shakespeare] [graphic] / Martin Droeshout sculpsit, London.

Book title: Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies, published according to the true originall copies
Also known as: First folio portrait of Shakespeare
Also known as: Title page portrait of Shakespeare

[State 1 of 4].

[London] : [Isaac Iaggard and Ed. Blount], [1623]

1 print : engraving ; image 190 x 159 mm

Engraved bust-length portrait of William Shakespeare on the otherwise letterpress title page to the first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays, known as the "First Folio".

Title devised by cataloger.

Publication information from book's imprint.

Four impressions of state 1 are known: one at the British Library (c.39.k.15), one at the Bodleian (Arch. G.c.8) and two at the Folger (ART Box D783 no.1 and STC 22273 Fo.1 no.02, title page). Note that Hind (p. 355) incorrectly conflates the two Folger impressions as one.

First state differs from later states in that it lacks the shadow on the ruff under Shakespeare's left ear (Hinman, p. 248).

Hind, A.M. Engraving in England, II, p. 354-359
Hinman, C. Printing and proof-reading of the first folio of Shakespeare, v. 1, p. 248

Digital image(s) of Folger Shakespeare Library ART Box D783 no.1
Digital image(s) of Folger Shakespeare Library STC 22273 Fo.1 no.02, title page

Great Britain -- England -- London.

Also known as: Halliwell-Phillipps unique proof
Also known as: Lilly proof

ART Box D783 no.1 (size S)

Trimmed within platemark, not affecting text. Also known as the "Halliwell-Phillipps Unique Proof" (though now known not to be unique) and the "Lilly Proof." Removed from Halliwell-Phillipps volume labeled "The proof engraving of Droeshout's portrait of Shakespeare, 1623." Encapsulated with a note in Halliwell-Phillipps' hand that reads: "This engraving belonged to an imperfect copy of the First Folio that was purchased by Lilly at a sale at Sotheby's on 11 May, 1863, lot 110, and I bought the engraving itself of Lilly exactly a year afterwards, 11 May, 1864, for one hundred guineas." That copy of the First Folio (West 39) is now owned by the Royal Shakspeare Theatre and kept by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust at the Shakespeare Centre Library.

Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, 1991. The First Folio of Shakespeare.
Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, 2002. A Shared Passion: Henry Clay Folger, Jr. and Emily Jordan Folger as Collectors.
Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, 2011. Fame, Fortune, and Theft.
Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, 2014. Shakespeare's the Thing.

STC 22273 Fo.1 no.02, title page

Trimmed to platemark. One of three pieces inset in toned old paper. Bound as the title page to a volume sometimes known as the "Sabin" copy. Binding: Arms of James Hamilton, earl of Clanbrassill, stamped on upper and lower covers; bookplate of Robert Jocelyn, 3rd earl of Roden.