First Folio of Shakespeare : Norton Facsimile 1996

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 I have written can be viewed here.

Thank you for the review and photos, but as an owner of the 2001 LE I would like to point out that it is different from the 2006 edition, and both are listed in Folio 60 as A34. The LE is bound half black morocco with marbled paper boards and dark green endleaves in a black slip case with green paper sides. (photos to follow)....

>3 Powderfinger69:
Thank you very much.
I had forgotten to check the A listings in Folio 60, and seeing the 2001 Norton Facsimile FS Limited Edition in a different binding to the 2006 edition makes much more sense.
You never stop learning when researching the FS oeuvre!

Good to see these, which I've not come close to acquiring as I have a copy, bought on the secondary market in 1983, of the original Norton / Paul Hamlyn edition from 1968. It's in the alternative green cloth binding, which from the copies currently available seems to have sold rather less well than the doubtless more expensive half red leather version.

I have never understood the attraction of this FS publication, aside from being a curiosity piece for collectors who value the original First Folio editions. It certainly is not meant for reading - it presents Shakespeare's plays in an English language and lettering that is not user friendly, in a tiny font, with an unattractive page design. There are so many splendid private press editions with modernized English in far more attractive editions with regards to the Arts of the Book, i.e., fine letterpress printing, handmade papers, attractive bindings, etc. This is an edition destined to sit on one's bookshelf undisturbed for many decades. Better ways to spend one's money.

Warrick is spot on when he introduces this FS edition as "a very queer fish indeed".

>6 dlphcoracl: "It is a very queer fish indeed" and I do prefer reading the FS letterpress edition with the Oxford companion nearby, but as an amateur history buff I enjoy possessing a facsimile of the First Folio on the shelf--especially after viewing an original whenever Carnegie Mellon University makes its copy available to the SW Pennsylvania public. Just as the FS Luttrell Psalter isn't easily read, I enjoy having my copy at arm's reach. Facsimiles can be an exception to my rule of readability. Besides, what's the point of a rule if I never break it?

>7 Powderfinger69:

Yes, my copy hasn't often been opened since I acquired the New Nonesuch and LEC sets, which don't differ from its orthography in much at all beyond dropping the long 's': but I don't regret its cost way back when, probably something like £20, or begrudge its two inches of shelf space.

Thanks for this Mr. Carter. Your intuition that people would be interested given the upcoming Folio Society Shakespeare LE was spot on. I am very glad for this info.

>1 wcarter: 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.

Yes, this is where I got my copy, direct from FS.

>2 Powderfinger69: Thank you for mentioning Folio's limited edition of the Shakespeare First Folio / Norton Facsimile, it is indeed a very handsome binding of black Wassa goatskin over strikingly beautiful marbled boards, bound by Smith Settle of Ottley, and certainly worthy of headlining in such a thread. When I was having a clear out of all the Folio LEs I believed I'd never either get around to reading or that I would never re-read and were taking up just too much space, I determined to keep my copy of this LE as it provides such a fascinating and enjoyable immersion in early 17th century literary history and printing, being a very well-produced facsimile of a publication compiled with loving care and attention by two of Shakespeare's own friends. I quite understand why it has been judged as one of the most influential books ever published, and it feels fitting to have it in such a beautiful binding.

I would have thought the First Folio facsimile a must-have for any thoroughgoing fan of Shakespeare. Of course it's not as easy to read as any current edition of his plays with modern typography, modified spelling and other various emendations, but then that's hardly the point of an edition of such literary significance. Life's greatest reading experiences aren't great just because they're easy!

>11 cronshaw: Shakespeare is within my collecting interests, and I had a copy of the half leather First Folio facsimile, which I ended up selling. It's a nice binding, and of course has old style typography, which is a separate thing that one will either appreciate or not. The Norton facsimile is fine for academic work, but as a fine printing facsimile it leaves a lot to be desired. It is basically a high resolution photocopy in appearance, resulting in a grayscale printed area with while margins around the edge. I found it not to be a particularly pleasing reading experience.

I have a separate bifold partial facsimile of the First Folio as well, printed by Foolscap Press, I believe, which is a true fine press facsimile. I can post photos of both side by side when I am back home to show what I mean.