1. Named on Title Pages
The Bodleian First Folio
The Bodleian copy is a rarity — it has not been rebound or restored in almost four centuries since it was first received by the library in 1623. Its unique marks of wear connect us directly with early readers: the pages of Romeo and Juliet are worn almost to shreds, while King John is virtually pristine. The volume left the library in the 1660s and was returned after a fundraising campaign at the turn of the twentieth century.
Heminges and Condell sign the dedication twice, naming the author as their friend and fellow, William Shakespeare.
The Bodleian Library, University of Oxford. Arch. G c.7. The copy was received by the library in 1623 under the terms of an agreement with the Stationers’ Company, left the library in the 1660s, and was repurchased in 1906. It retains its original binding and has never been restored or rebound. Bodleian Digital Library.