farfel_n03_022_142

It was in 1632 that a start was made in re-editing
the 1st Folio.
The actual editors of the successive folios subjected the
spelling of the 1st folio to a continuous modernization,
+ various slight grammatical or syntactical irregularities
are smoothed away.
1st Folio 12 5/8 x 8 1/8" - printing began at Jaggard's shop in Barbican (London) in
1621 + was not completed until late in 1623. Apparently the 1st plan
had been to bring out 3 folios, as the Comedies, Histories + Tragedies
[inserted] Shakespeare Folios Haverford College Ref Z2012 H385 [end inserted] have seperate paginations for each group. As published, however,
the single vol. of the 1st F contains all 3 in a book of 908 7 pages.
The plays are printed in a Roman type of a size slightly
smaller than modern pica in 2 columns to the page.
original price =1 500-1000 copies (estimate)
2nd Folio - some unknown person (or persons) went through the
plays, revising the spelling, improving syntax + regularizing
all Latin names + stage directions. This unknown "editor"
even attempted to clarify "the meaning" of some individual
[inserted] 3rd F ('64) 13x8 3/8" 4th F 13 11/16 x 8 3/4" [end inserted] lines. The 2nd F, therefore is by no means a mere reprint
of the 1st (1000 copies)
-2nd folio -163 perfect copies known -16, Smethwick variant
-9 variant title pages -5 Allot, 1 Aspley,
1 Hawkins, 1 Meighen, 1 Smethwick.
-3 variant "Effigies" leaves.
The 2nd folio, like the 1st was printed upon
crown paper of good quality, but unlike the 1st was
made up from odd lots of paper bearing many
different watermarks. Watermarks in teh Folio are
frequently turned upside down.