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The Shakespeare Thefts: In Search of the First Folios
ByPublisher Description
Published in 1623, the first edition of William Shakespeare's collected works, known as the "First Folio," is one of the most sought-after books in the world. Compiled by Shakespeare's fellow actors, it is the authoritative text of his plays, and copies from its 750-copy print run have been yearned for by kings, earls, and bibliophiles since they first came off the press.
In his effort to track down the extant 232 copies - and to identify others that have been stolen or lost - renowned Shakespeare scholar Eric Rasmussen and his team of First Folio hunters embarked on an incredible adventure around the world. This fast-paced narrative takes us from the courtrooms of England to high-security vaults in the rare book rooms of Japan, back through centuries to Ben Jonson's cousin, and even takes a look at the notes that a Spanish Inquisitor scribbled on the margins of one copy. In their search to unravel the often circuitous journeys of the volumes, Rasmussen and his team encounter thieve, reclusive librarians, and eccentric billionaires who are all lusting for one of the world's most valuable books. This fascinating account explores how manuscript hunters identify a book that may have an illegitimate owner and a secret past; how to identify distinguishing marks: a bullet hole, desecrated pages, and red stains that resemble blood; and how a book's location and condition can reveal its story.
Part literary detective story, part Shakespearean lore, "The Shakespeare Thefts" is a rare glimpse between the covers of one of the most coveted books in the world.
In his effort to track down the extant 232 copies - and to identify others that have been stolen or lost - renowned Shakespeare scholar Eric Rasmussen and his team of First Folio hunters embarked on an incredible adventure around the world. This fast-paced narrative takes us from the courtrooms of England to high-security vaults in the rare book rooms of Japan, back through centuries to Ben Jonson's cousin, and even takes a look at the notes that a Spanish Inquisitor scribbled on the margins of one copy. In their search to unravel the often circuitous journeys of the volumes, Rasmussen and his team encounter thieve, reclusive librarians, and eccentric billionaires who are all lusting for one of the world's most valuable books. This fascinating account explores how manuscript hunters identify a book that may have an illegitimate owner and a secret past; how to identify distinguishing marks: a bullet hole, desecrated pages, and red stains that resemble blood; and how a book's location and condition can reveal its story.
Part literary detective story, part Shakespearean lore, "The Shakespeare Thefts" is a rare glimpse between the covers of one of the most coveted books in the world.
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3.0
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