1wcarter
First Folio of Shakespeare : Norton Facsimile 1996
This book is a very queer fish indeed.
In 2001 the Folio Society advertised a limited edition of 1000 copies of the Norton Facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare. This was a copy of the W.W.Norton & Co. edition of 1996 rebound. There was a tipped in FS colophon stating that this was a limited edition of 1000 copies, but nothing else to identify it as a Folio Society edition. The binding again made no mention of the Folio Society.
Then in 2006 the Folio Society again advertised for sale the identical book to the 2001 edition, except this time there was no tipped in limited edition colophon. There was absolutely no mention of the Folio Society anywhere in the book, but it was marketed by the FS, in the same binding as 2001.
Neither edition is listed in the Folio Society bibliography, Folio 60, so the FS seems to be denying any ownership of this edition, neither the limited edition of 2001 nor the identical reissue of 2006.
The edition marketed by the Folio Society was quarter bound in maroon leather with 5 raised spine bands and light brown cloth sides printed in dark brown with a contemporary view of London. It had a dark red ribbon marker, plain purple endpapers and a purple buckram slipcase gilt blocked with title on the front. It measured 37x25.6cm. and had xxxvii + 927 pages. It is unillustrated except for the decorations above the title at the start of each play and occasional page filler at the end of a play.
The facsimile was prepared by Charlton Hinman and introduced by Peter W.M. Blayney. The contents was based on Folios in the Folger Shakepeare library Collection.
The W.W.Norton first edition was bound in a different way, as shown in the photos below taken from the internet, but internally was identical to the reviewed edition.
Considering the imminent release of a new limited edition Shakespeare’s Collected Works by the Folio Society, I thought it interesting to place this pictorial review before you.
Because it is really neither a Folio Society edition nor a true fine edition, but deserves review because of its interesting history and presentation, I am posting this in both the Fine Press Forum and the Folio Society Devotees Library Thing forums.
I own the 2006 version without the tipped in limited edition colophon, and that is what is reviewed below.
The W.W.Norton first edition
The “Folio Society” edition of 2006
Promotional leaflet from the Folio Society. Prices in Australian dollars.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the this series can be viewed here.
This book is a very queer fish indeed.
In 2001 the Folio Society advertised a limited edition of 1000 copies of the Norton Facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare. This was a copy of the W.W.Norton & Co. edition of 1996 rebound. There was a tipped in FS colophon stating that this was a limited edition of 1000 copies, but nothing else to identify it as a Folio Society edition. The binding again made no mention of the Folio Society.
Then in 2006 the Folio Society again advertised for sale the identical book to the 2001 edition, except this time there was no tipped in limited edition colophon. There was absolutely no mention of the Folio Society anywhere in the book, but it was marketed by the FS, in the same binding as 2001.
Neither edition is listed in the Folio Society bibliography, Folio 60, so the FS seems to be denying any ownership of this edition, neither the limited edition of 2001 nor the identical reissue of 2006.
The edition marketed by the Folio Society was quarter bound in maroon leather with 5 raised spine bands and light brown cloth sides printed in dark brown with a contemporary view of London. It had a dark red ribbon marker, plain purple endpapers and a purple buckram slipcase gilt blocked with title on the front. It measured 37x25.6cm. and had xxxvii + 927 pages. It is unillustrated except for the decorations above the title at the start of each play and occasional page filler at the end of a play.
The facsimile was prepared by Charlton Hinman and introduced by Peter W.M. Blayney. The contents was based on Folios in the Folger Shakepeare library Collection.
The W.W.Norton first edition was bound in a different way, as shown in the photos below taken from the internet, but internally was identical to the reviewed edition.
Considering the imminent release of a new limited edition Shakespeare’s Collected Works by the Folio Society, I thought it interesting to place this pictorial review before you.
Because it is really neither a Folio Society edition nor a true fine edition, but deserves review because of its interesting history and presentation, I am posting this in both the Fine Press Forum and the Folio Society Devotees Library Thing forums.
I own the 2006 version without the tipped in limited edition colophon, and that is what is reviewed below.
The W.W.Norton first edition
The “Folio Society” edition of 2006
Promotional leaflet from the Folio Society. Prices in Australian dollars.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the this series can be viewed here.
2Glacierman
Back in ancient times when I was a tadpole working in the UWyo library, I found a copy of the 1968 Norton edition in a local used bookstore for a pittance. The binding wasn't fancy, just a good, heavy duty trade binding in a printed d/w, but it was fun. The interior illustrated above is just as I remember it.
Thanks for the memories!
Thanks for the memories!
