It is believed that copies of early folio printings numbered only in the hundreds. An impressive folio volume handsomely bound in full morocco-gilt by Asprey.īecause plays were not considered 'serious literature' in the 17th century, Shakespeare's collected works did not appear in print until after his death, and 17 of the 36 plays included in the 1623 first folio edition had never been published before (and might have been lost had this folio not been printed). $4500.īeautiful photo-facsimile of the 1632 Second Folio edition of Shakespeare's plays-with an actual leaf from the Second Folio, pages 17-18 of 'The Tempest,' bound in appropriately. Thick folio (9 by 14-1/2 inches), modern full tan morocco gilt over beveled boards, raised bands, all edges gilt. Faithfully Reproduced in Facsimile from the Edition of 1623. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies. With Condell, he co-owned the Globe Theater and helped him edit and publish Shakespeare's First Folio.FINE PHOTO-FACSIMILE OF THE 1632 SECOND FOLIO OF SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS, WITH AN ACTUAL LEAF OF THE TEMPEST FROM THAT EDITION BOUND IN John Heminges (1556-1630) was also one of the actors in the troupe.He co-owned the Globe Theater with John Heminges and helped edit and publish Shakespeare's First Folio without the permission of Shakespeare himself. Henry Condell (1568-1627) was one of the 26 actors known to have been in the troupe.William Kempe (1560-1603) was an actor, dancer, and singer but was best known for his comedy work in Shakespeare's plays including the roles of Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Falstaff in Henry IV, Peter in Romeo and Juliet, and Costard in Love's Labour's Lost.He owned 25% of the Globe Theater after having helped tear down the old one and rebuild it.

Richard Burbage (1567-1619), known as a method actor, played the lead roles in many of Shakespeare's plays, including Hamlet, Othello, Richard III, and King Lear, as well as those written by Ben Jonson.These men were some of the most famous stage actors at the time – and without their performance, Shakespeare’s plays may never have found their place in history. From 1594, only an acting troupe known as Lord Chamberlain's Men, later renamed King's Men, performed Shakespeare's plays.

The comedies of william shakespeare