Understanding Shakespeare's First Folio

On a summer afternoon in Wadham College, University of Oxford, members of the Oxford Shakespeare Company, who were performing 'As you like it' in the college gardens, were invited to view Wadham's copy of the First Folio. For good measure, we put on display our copy of the Second Folio. Emma Smith, Professor of Shakespeare Studies at the University of Oxford talked about the books.

[@cazkiwinz4300]

Isn’t it great that even 8 years later, this is still here for us to learn … as if we all got to go to these wonderful colleges around the world!

[@cazkiwinz4300]

And now, over 2 hours later after I had written that and then fallen down an Emma Smith rabbit hole of her RUclips links and a lil This Is Shakespeare book buying binge… I must go to bed…. but i also now know what I’m doing this weekend 😂😂😂

[@apollocobain8363]

Heminges and Condel were given only 1 pound 40p each. How did they finance a book printing that cost >1,000 pounds?
A copy of the First Folio sold for 24 pounds in 1664 so the total run of 750 copies would, at that rate, have sold for ~18,000 pounds. Cost of production was significantly less than that but certainly well above the 2 pounds 80p that Heminges and Condel had.

[@Jeffhowardmeade]

The answer is on the last page. H & C didn’t pay for it.

[@brutusalwaysminded]

Interesting point about the posthumous 5 Act structure and The Blackfriars experience. Thanks.

[@anaveler4147]

- 'sold out in nine years'
- For the economy of the folio, I'd look at art books today (or folk publishing around here, RO)

[@stephenarnold3015]

It's difficult to see the point of the "degrees of the lie" speech if not to cover time for a costume-change

[@MB-oo5ty]

Optime tibi gratias ago pro tantis informationibus comparandis. Salvete ex Mexico.

[@the17thearlofoxford38]

Hmm...