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COLLATION OF THE FIRST FOLIO
MAINLY FROM LOWNDES'S 'BIBLIOGRAPHER'S MANUAL'
Title:
Title, on which is the portrait of Shakespeare, by Martin Droeshout; opposite is a leaf containing verses, ten lines, 'To the Reader,' signed B. I. (for Ben Jonson).
The printing of the verses in the first edition differs from that in the second in the fourth and fifth lines, where the 'v' in 'vvith' and 'vvit' is small in the first, and large (VV) in the second edition. The third and fourth editions have several words in Italics, which sufficiently distinguish them.
Preliminary Matter:
Dedication 'to William Earle of Pembroke, &c.,' and 'Philip Earle of Montgomery, &c.,' signed 'John Heminge and Henry Condell,' two pages on one leaf: (In the bottom line of first page the words
'the like indulgence' in the first edition, are changed to 'the same indulgence' in the second.)
'To the great Variety of Readers,' signed 'John Heminge and Henrie Condell': one leaf, the reverse page blank.
'To the memory of my beloved the Author, Mr. William Shakspeare': two pages of verses, signed 'Ben: Jonson' on one leaf.
'Vpon the Lines and Life of the Famous Scenicke Poet, Master William Shakespeare,' signed 'Hugh Holland': one leaf, the reverse page blank.
'To the memorie of the deceased Authour, Maister W. Shakespeare,' twenty-two lines, signed 'L. Digges'; and 'To the memorie of M. W. Shake-speare,' eight lines, signed 'I. M.': both on one leaf, the reverse page blank.
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