SHAKESPEARE, William (1564-1616)

The Life of Tymon of Athens

London: Printed by Tho. Cotes, 1632. Folio. (12 1/8 x 8 1/2 inches). 107-128pp.

Expertly bound to style in panelled calf, covers tooled in blind, upper cover lettered in gilt

From Shakespeare's Second Folio.

Shakespeare's famed four folios comprise the first four editions of his collected plays, all printed in the 17th century. The Second Folio of 1632, like the First Folio of 1623, contains 36 plays. It is estimated that fewer than 1000 copies of the Second Folio were printed and fewer than 200 copies are in existence today. "Timon of Athens" centers on the very wealthy and generous Timon, who spends his money helping others, granting gifts, paying off others' debts, and entertaining. Timon's close friends warn him of the consequences of his irresponsible spending habits, and he soon runs out of money. When the recipients of his generosity refuse to help repay his debts, they feel the wrath of the bitter and vengeful Timon. The Shakespeare Folios have "an aura of book magic about them. For a bibliophile it is a volume devoutly to be wished for and rarely attained; to a library it is a crowning jewel of a collection. Shakespeare, indeed, is a name to conjure with. No lengthy explanations are needed; he is simply the most distinguished author in the English language" (Wolf).

STC 22274a. Pforzheimer 906. Greg III, 1113-1116. Jaggard, 496; Wolf, Legacies of Genius 36.

Item #39569

Price: $5,800.00