The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the UK’s national museum for exploring the work, life and legacies of one of the world’s greatest writers, has launched a new exhibition and a year of celebration to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of the First Folio. Without this book, 18 of Shakespeare’s plays would have been lost forever, including Macbeth, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, and Antony and Cleopatra.

Shakespeare’s First Folio from the Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust collection

Visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon in the English Midlands have a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the creation of one of the most important books in western literature: Master William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies, published in 1623 and known as the First Folio, at a new exhibition in the playwright’s final home.

Professor Charlotte Scott, Director of Knowledge and Engagement for The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said: “Producing the book was a labour of love and we have his friends and fellow actors to thank for publishing it seven years after Shakespeare died. It was one of the most important and enduring artistic legacies of all time and this is something we are excited to explore in our exhibition.”

Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon

The story of the First Folio begins at New Place, the location of the new exhibition and Shakespeare’s family home from 1597 until his death in 1616. It is the presumed location of where he wrote his will, and indeed some of the plays, the significance of which is explored in the exhibition.

About 750 copies of the 1623 First Folio were printed. 235 are known to have survived with 50 copies still in the UK, 149 in USA and 36 in other corners of the world. A pristine ‘complete’ copy, with all its original leaves fetched nearly $10 million at auction in 2020. 

Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to view three key items that help to explain the story of the Folio and its enduring legacy.

The centrepiece is an original copy of the First Folio, known as the Ashburnham Folio. It is part of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Designated Collection and was acquired by the Trust in the 19th century.

Alongside the First Folio is a seal ring. Found in a field close to Holy Trinity Church in Stratford and dating from Shakespeare’s time it bears the initials ‘W.S’ and has long been thought to have been worn by the man himself. 

Charlotte Scott added: “We know that Shakespeare bequeathed money in his will to the men who would go on to publish ‘Mr. William Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, & tragedies’, John Heminges and Henry Condell, to buy mourning rings. This could be seen as a personal promise that they would publish his plays in one great volume.”

The exhibition also displays a notebook of one of Shakespeare's earliest and most devoted fans, which is being publicly exhibited for the first time. Filled with quotations and notes on the plays contained within the Folio it is thought this is the first example of an individual studying Shakespeare’s work in detail.

“The publishing of the First Folio has allowed every generation to explore and re-interpret Shakespeare’s works. The inscription on the title page itself makes reference "To the Great Variety of Readers" a nod that this book was intended to be accessible to a wide audience and that Shakespeare’s work should be available for everyone to enjoy, not a privileged few,” concludes Charlotte Scott.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the former family home of Shakespeare’s wife

A year of celebration

The exhibition forms part of a year of activity to celebrate the publication of the First Folio by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. They will be hosting a series of special events aimed at a variety of audiences from children to Shakespeare enthusiasts and experts across the year, to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to engage with and celebrate Stratford’s greatest son and his enduring legacy.

First Folios will be on display across the UK in 2023 to celebrate the 400th anniversary. This includes Shakespeare’s Globe and The British Library in London, where the First Folio is on display every day, as well as select dates elsewhere, including Winchester College until 20 November 2023, Longleat House in Wiltshire until 29 October, Birmingham Central Library until 21 October.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London

Shakespeare in London

In addition, to celebrate the anniversary, our friends at Extraordinary Stories of Britain have produced a podcast telling the story of the Bard’s life in London: how the writer left the tiny village of Stratford-Upon-Avon in search of success in the capital, how he became an actor, writer and theatre owner; how his company dismantled an entire theatre building and moved it across the River Thames -  and how his beloved Globe burned down. And why we, very nearly, lost half his plays forever.

Podcast courtesy of storiesofbritain.com; featuring Tony Lewis

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made Shakespeare Tour, exploring the locations associated with The Bard and witnessing the incredible First Folio first-hand, please do contact our friendly team today.