# First Folio

> First edition copy of 1623 collection of William Shakespeare's plays held by State Library of New South Wales

**Wikidata**: [Q833645](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q833645)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Folio)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/first-folio

## Summary

First Folio has the genre English Renaissance theatre.

## Summary

The First Folio is a first edition copy of the 1623 collection of William Shakespeare's plays, specifically the copy held by the State Library of New South Wales in Australia. Published in 1623, it is formally titled *Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies* and represents one of the most significant literary works of the English Renaissance theatre period.

## Key Facts

- **Publication Date:** 1623
- **Current Owner:** State Library of New South Wales (established 1869), located in Australia
- **Formal Title:** Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies
- **Alternative Names:** First Folio of Shakespeare; Shakespeare's First Folio
- **Publisher/Printer:** William Jaggard, a 16th/17th-century English printer and publisher
- **Classification:** Literary work; version, edition, or translation of a work
- **Historical Context:** Product of the English Renaissance theatre period (1562–1642)
- **Country of Origin:** England

## FAQs

**What is the First Folio and why is it called that?**
The First Folio is the first published collection of William Shakespeare's plays, issued in 1623 under the full title *Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies*. The term "folio" refers to the large-format book in which it was printed.

**Who printed and published the First Folio?**
William Jaggard, a 16th/17th-century English printer and publisher, was responsible for the production of the 1623 First Folio.

**Where is this specific copy of the First Folio held?**
This particular first edition copy is held by the State Library of New South Wales, the central library for the state of New South Wales, Australia, which was established in 1869.

**What historical period does the First Folio belong to?**
The First Folio belongs to the English Renaissance theatre era, which spanned from 1562 to 1642 in England.

## Why It Matters

The First Folio is among the most important publications in English literary history. Without it, many of Shakespeare's plays might have been lost entirely, as roughly half of the works contained in the collection had never been published prior to the 1623 edition. As a literary work produced during the English Renaissance theatre period, it represents a critical preservation effort undertaken by Shakespeare's colleagues and associates. The copy held by the State Library of New South Wales is one of a limited number of surviving first edition copies, making it a rare and culturally significant artifact. Its journey from England to Australia underscores the global reach and enduring relevance of Shakespeare's work across centuries and continents.

## Notable For

- Being the first collected edition of William Shakespeare's plays, published in 1623
- Preserving plays that otherwise might not have survived
- Being classified as both a literary work and a specific version/edition of a larger creative output
- Having been printed by William Jaggard, a notable 16th/17th-century English printer
- Representing the English Renaissance theatre tradition (1562–1642)
- The specific copy being held by the State Library of New South Wales in Australia, far from its English origins

## Body

### The Work and Its Edition

The First Folio, formally titled *Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies*, is the first edition of the 1623 collection of William Shakespeare's plays. It is classified as a literary work — a written work intended for enjoyment or edification — and also as a specific version or edition of a broader creative work, representing a set of substantially similar copies produced together. The publication carries several alternative names, including "First Folio of Shakespeare" and "Shakespeare's First Folio."

### Publication and Production

The First Folio was published in 1623 in England, a country in north-west Europe and part of the United Kingdom. The printer and publisher responsible for the work was William Jaggard, a 16th/17th-century English printer and publisher by occupation.

### Historical and Cultural Context

The First Folio emerged from the tradition of English Renaissance theatre, which flourished in England between 1562 and 1642. This period represents one of the most celebrated eras of dramatic literature in the English language, and the First Folio stands as one of its most enduring artifacts.

### The State Library of New South Wales Copy

This particular first edition copy is owned and held by the State Library of New South Wales, the central library for the state of New South Wales, Australia. The State Library was established in 1869 and serves as a major cultural institution within Australia. The presence of a First Folio in this collection highlights the library's significance as a repository of globally important literary heritage.

## References

1. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/topic/First-Folio)
2. [Source](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/File:First_Folio,_Shakespeare_-_0003.jpg)
3. [Source](https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/74VvG4vXRRZM)
4. MusicBrainz
5. WorldCat
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
8. BBC Things