Editors' dedication signed: Iohn Heminge. Henry Condell. Colophon: Printed at the charges of W. Jaggard, Ed. Blount, I. Smithweeke, and W. Aspley, 1623. Stationers' register: Entered to Blount and I. Jaggard 8 November [1623] Signatures: [superscript pi]A⁶([superscript pi]A1+1, [superscript pi]A5+1.2), A-2B⁶, 2C², a-g⁶, [superscript chi]2g⁸, h-v⁶, x⁴, "gg3.4"(±"gg3"), [par.]-2[par.]⁶, 3[par.]1, 2a-2f⁶, 2g², "Gg⁶", 2h⁶, 2k-3b⁶. The title page ([superscript pi]A1+1) is letterpress except for a large portrait of Shakespeare, engraved by Martin Droeshout. "The life and death of King Iohn" begins new pagination on leaf a1r; "The tragedy of Coriolanus" begins new pagination on leaf 2a1r. Page 399 misnumbered '993'.
Exhibited
Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, 1987. Folger's Choice (catalog entry 03) Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, November 2016 -January 2017. First Folio! Shakespeare’s American Tour. Opening: Antony and Cleopatra
Cited/described in
Pollard, A.W. Short-title catalogue of books printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland and of English books printed abroad, 1475-1640 (2nd ed.) (STC), 22273 English short title catalogue (ESTC), S111228 West, A.J. Shakespeare first folio, 130 Lee, S. Census, 127
In Folger copy 72 [superscript pi]A1, [superscript pi]A5+2, and perhaps other leaves in gathering [superscript pi]A are supplied from another copy or copies. First issue, without Troilus, "gg3.4"(±"gg3"), [par.]-2[par.]⁶, 3[par.]1. (Blayney, P.W.M. The First Folio of Shakespeare, p. 24.) Troilus is present (+"gg3", "gg4", [par.]-2[par.]⁶, 3[par.]1), supplied (from a shorter copy) in a misdirected effort to perfect this copy. Port. (on title page) in state 2. Leaves K3.4 and perhaps t3.4 are supplied from another copy or copies. Text patched on V5 and 2d1 is completed in manuscript facsim. Text on i6, q6, 2d6, 2k1, 2t3, and 2v3 is touched up with pen and ink. Other imperfections affect text on D4, H6, b5, 2s4 and slightly affect text on 11 other leaves. See curatorial file for additional information, including variations not recorded here. Inscribed "Rachell Paule" [ca. 1650] ([superscript pi]A1+1v). Forester family library copy. Also "Hellman" (George S. Hellman) copy. Curatorial file available.
