About Advertise with us Get our newsletter
Facebook Twitter Instagram

Arts

Keira McKee, Book Conservator, with the University of Glasgow’s First Folio copy.   Picture: Photo: Martin Shields
Keira McKee, Book Conservator, with the University of Glasgow’s First Folio copy. Photo: Martin Shields

Shakespeare's First Folio to go on show

The rare book is one of only 50 that remain in the UK

A rare early volume of Shakespeare’s plays is to go on show at the University of Glasgow.

The First Folio is currently held in the University’s collection of historical literary works and documents.

The book is one of only 50 thought to still be remaining in the UK.

And the University’s copy will be one of three in Scotland going on show to mark the 400th anniversary of its publication.

As part of the UK and Ireland Folio400 celebrations, copies will be accessible to the public at the University of Glasgow, the National Library of Scotland and Mount Stuart Trust.

'Cultural monument'

Professor Adrian Streete, head of English Literature at the University of Glasgow, said: “Today the First Folio is a literary and cultural monument, as several of those involved in collecting and printing Shakespeare’s plays four hundred years ago hoped it would be.

The First Folio collection contains 36 plays
The First Folio collection contains 36 plays

“Yet in 1623, the publishing of the First Folio was an expensive and risky undertaking. Shakespeare’s popularity was not then what it would become later.

“The story of how Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies became the ‘First Folio’ is a long and complicated one, bound up with shifting ideas of literary prestige, the theatre, and national identity.

“But the First Folio remains a monument to the enduring power of literature to help us make sense of ourselves and others, and to imagine new and better worlds.”

Only 18 of Shakespeare's plays appeared in print during his lifetime, and some of these were in corrupt or pirated editions.

 

Today the First Folio is a literary and cultural monument, as several of those involved in collecting and printing Shakespeare’s plays four hundred years ago hoped it would be.

Professor Adrian Streete

 

The First Folio collection contains 36 plays, 18 of which were here published for the first time, thus saving such works as The Tempest and Macbeth from probable extinction.

About 750 copies of the 1623 First Folio were printed. 235 are known to have survived with 50 copies still in the UK, 149 in USA and 36 in other corners of the world (nine of which are listed as ‘missing’).

The National Library of Scotland’s Head of Rare Books, Maps and Music, Helen Vincent said: “We’ve seen everyone from school children to actors to researchers fascinated by the First Folio and the stories it contains, so we’re looking forward to bringing it to a wide audience in our Treasures exhibition."

The University of Glasgow has an extensive range of rare and internationally important collections.

Julie Gardham, Senior Assistant Librarian, and Keira McKee, Book Conservator, with the University of Glasgow’s First Folio copy. Photo: Martin Shields
Julie Gardham, Senior Assistant Librarian, and Keira McKee, Book Conservator, with the University of Glasgow’s First Folio copy. Photo: Martin Shields

The University’s First Folio, held in the Library’s Archives & Special Collections, recently underwent conservation work.

It is a complex ‘made up’ volume, formed from combining two or three different imperfect copies to create a whole.

In common with most other surviving First Folios, the book shows considerable signs of wear and use, and many of its pages are stained and dirt engrained.

'Dilapidated'

The copy is particularly important for its early annotations that were made by a reader who had evidently seen Shakespeare’s plays being acted contemporaneously.

Julie Gardham, senior Librarian, Archives & Special Collections, University of Glasgow, said: “It is always a joy to show our First Folio to students at the University.

“At first glance it seems to be dilapidated and imperfect but turning its pages and seeing the annotations of an early owner who ‘knew’ some of the actors and comments on the plays gives us a thrilling direct connection to Shakespeare’s time.”

Share this story

@GlasgowWEToday

  • thehoodedsham1 profile image@ThenvsNowPic1 St George’s Cross,Glasgow 1900 and2023 Twitter embedded image 20 hours ago by thehoodedsham1
  • Seansfanclub profile imageThis is an overhead view of my local park. Tollcross Park in Glasgow. There’s a rose competition held there every year. The park is tended by Council gardeners. The design in rose trees is Mackintosh’s Glasgow rose, isn’t it beautiful. #proud #Glasgow 🌹 Twitter embedded image 1 day ago by Seansfanclub
  • GlasgowWEToday profile imageAward-winning saxophonist Helena Kay’s KIM Trio plays @merchantsjazz on Sunday, April 2 | Glasgow West End Today #Glasgow #jazz @rabjourno glasgowwestendtoday.scot… 2 days ago
  • GlasgowWEToday profile imageTree removal … Kelvin Way. #saturday #glasgow
    GlasgowCC profile imageSadly, there are tree removal works that must take place in the woodland around Kelvin Way and Hillhead Primary next week (w/b 13 March), as a number of Ash trees have a disease called ‘Ash Dieback’ and cannot be saved 😞🌳 (1/2) Twitter embedded image 1 week ago by GlasgowCC
    Twitter embedded image 2 days ago
  • AlanPath profile image@UofGlasgow + Kelvingrove Park ~1900 @GlasgowWEToday @74frankfurt Twitter embedded image 2 days ago by AlanPath
  • DrMailley profile imageStories Along Great Western Road will capture the history of Great Western Road. We want to hear from you if: 💍Got married 🛍️Owned or worked in a shop 🏡Live, or lived in the area. 📚Went to school or university 🎉Went to a rave or party. Submit: webstersglasgow.com/hist… Twitter embedded image 2 days ago by DrMailley
  • ScotRoadArchive profile imageWe recently digitised photos from an extensive aerial survey of #Glasgow undertaken in May 1963. This one shows the city centre. What highlights stand out for you? There have been a LOT of changes. 🧐 #Archives Twitter embedded image 2 days ago by ScotRoadArchive
  • KelvingroveArt profile imageWe are very excited about this announcement….. New exhibition – opening Saturday 20 May 📣 Mary Quant: Fashion Revolutionary More info glasgowlife.org.uk/.../m…... Mary Quant and Vidal Sassoon, 1964. © Ronald Dumont/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Twitter embedded image 3 days ago by KelvingroveArt
  • is_glasgow profile imageThis is the Ruthven Lane Cat in the west end of Glasgow, and its a bit of a mystery. It's high on a wall on the back of an old tenement building, and it really doesn't look like it belongs there. Cont./ #glasgow #ruthvenlane #ruthvenlanecat #glasgowwestend @GlasgowWEToday #cats Twitter embedded image 3 days ago by is_glasgow
  • SWG3glasgow profile imageWE ARE HIRING! This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a passionate, ever expanding, independent organisation where you will be given the opportunity to manage the most diverse music and events programme in the country! 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 → swg3.tv/explore/jobs/ Twitter embedded image 3 days ago by SWG3glasgow

Get our newsletter

Glasgow West End Today Loading