Shakespeare First Folio Fetches $5.2 Million

-- Library Journal, 07/19/2006

London's financially strapped Dr. Williams's Library's just got a whole lot richer: the facility's 1623 Shakespeare first folio fetched a hefty $5.2 million (£2.8m) at auction July 13. The volume is one of roughly 200 known in existence, but unlike many others, it is a complete copy. Although the sale set a new Sotheby's record for a book, some experts estimated its value at closer to £3.5 million (another first folio garnered £3 million some five years ago). The winning bidder was Simon Finch Rare Books, although it is believed the London book dealer purchased the volume for a client. Produced by a group of the author's friends seven years after his death, Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories & Tragedies debuted in 1623 and contains 36 plays, 18 of which, including Macbeth and Twelfth Night, appeared in print for the first time. Generally regarded as the holiest of literary holies, the first folio gave the bard's work to the world and is the basis of all original editions of Shakespeare's work.