<p>An original copy of the First Folio, one of the most important pieces of publication in the history of English literature, has gone under the hammer and sold for more than $2.5 million in New York on Thursday (July 21) to a private collector.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The First Folio is a published collection of legendary English playwright William Shakespeare's plays. It was published seven years after his death in 1623 and is responsible for allowing the world to enjoy Shakespeare's work, as none of the original manuscripts of his plays have survived.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-journey-of-400-year-old-book-shakespeares-first-folio-up-for-auction-487081">The journey of 400-year-old book: Shakespeare’s first folio up for auction</a></p>

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<p>John Heminge and Henry Condell, Shakespeare's partners at the acting company had compiled the book. The duo had worked meticulously to collate the book by cross-referencing from prompt books, working drafts and authorial fair copy; making it as accurate as possible.</p>

<p>They later categorised the book and plays into 'comedies', 'tragedies' and 'histories', allowing the upcoming generations to read Shakespeare's work in a nuanced way. Only 750 copies have been made of the First Folio. However, currently, only less than a third (220) are accounted for.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some experts are of the view that eighteen of the plays in the First Folio are not known to have been previously printed, such as 'The Tempest', 'Twelfth Night' and 'Measure for Measure' and more.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If the book was not collated, iconic dialogues such as, "If music be the food of love, play on," from 'Twelfth Night' and, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears," from Julius Caesar would have been lost forever.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is not the first time that one of the original copies of the First Folio has been sold. As reported by WION, in 2020, another copy had sold for $9.97 million, smashing the previous high of $6.16 million, set way back in 2001.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-collection-of-shakespeares-plays-sold-for-record-10-million-335451" target="_blank">First collection of Shakespeare's plays sold for record $10 million</a></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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An original copy of the First Folio, one of the most important pieces of publication in the history of English literature, has gone under the hammer and sold for more than $2.

An original copy of the First Folio, one of the most important pieces of publication in the history of English literature, has gone under the hammer and sold for more than $2.5 million in New York on Thursday (July 21) to a private collector. The First Folio is a published collection of legendary English playwright William Shakespeare's plays. It was published seven years after his death in 1623 and is responsible for allowing the world to enjoy Shakespeare's work, as none of the original manuscripts of his plays have survived. WATCH: The journey of 400-year-old book: Shakespeare’s first folio up for auction × John Heminge and Henry Condell, Shakespeare's partners at the acting company had compiled the book. The duo had worked meticulously to collate the book by cross-referencing from prompt books, working drafts and authorial fair copy; making it as accurate as possible. They later categorised the book and plays into 'comedies', 'tragedies' and 'histories', allowing the upcoming generations to read Shakespeare's work in a nuanced way. Only 750 copies have been made of the First Folio. However, currently, only less than a third (220) are accounted for. Some experts are of the view that eighteen of the plays in the First Folio are not known to have been previously printed, such as 'The Tempest', 'Twelfth Night' and 'Measure for Measure' and more. If the book was not collated, iconic dialogues such as, "If music be the food of love, play on," from 'Twelfth Night' and, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears," from Julius Caesar would have been lost forever. This is not the first time that one of the original copies of the First Folio has been sold. As reported by WION, in 2020, another copy had sold for $9.97 million, smashing the previous high of $6.16 million, set way back in 2001. Read More: First collection of Shakespeare's plays sold for record $10 million (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Original copy of Shakespeare's First Folio fetches $2.5 million at auction

<p>An original copy of William Shakespeare's First Folio, the first published collection of his plays, is set to be auctioned next month in New York at Sotheby's. It is often referred to as the most important book in English literature. Reports suggested that the&nbsp;First Folio is expected to fetch $2.5m at the auction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The First Folio was published in 1623, almost seven years after Shakespeare's death. It is a collection of 36 plays written by him. It is understood that in the absence of the First Folio, some of his most famous works would have been lost.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is said that eighteen of the plays in the First Folio are not known to have been previously printed, such as 'The Tempest', 'Twelfth Night' and 'Measure for Measure' and more.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Sotheby's, out of the 750 copies, only less than a third are still accounted for. The auction house added that less than 20 are privately owned.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by media outlets, Gabriel Heaton, the specialist and director of the books departments, said: "Shakespeare First Folio is without question, the most important publication in the history of English literature."</p>

<p>"Without this book, no Macbeth, no Twelfth Night, no Winter's Tale. About half of Shakespeare's plays were first published in this volume," Heaton added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Richard Austin, Sotheby’s global head of books and manuscripts said, "The appearance of a Shakespeare First Folio on the market is always a major event, with so few copies remaining in private hands."&nbsp;</p>

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An original copy of William Shakespeare's First Folio, the first published collection of his plays, is set to be auctioned next month in New York at Sotheby's. It is often referred to as the most important book in English literature.

An original copy of William Shakespeare's First Folio, the first published collection of his plays, is set to be auctioned next month in New York at Sotheby's. It is often referred to as the most important book in English literature. Reports suggested that the First Folio is expected to fetch $2.5m at the auction. The First Folio was published in 1623, almost seven years after Shakespeare's death. It is a collection of 36 plays written by him. It is understood that in the absence of the First Folio, some of his most famous works would have been lost. It is said that eighteen of the plays in the First Folio are not known to have been previously printed, such as 'The Tempest', 'Twelfth Night' and 'Measure for Measure' and more. According to Sotheby's, out of the 750 copies, only less than a third are still accounted for. The auction house added that less than 20 are privately owned. As quoted by media outlets, Gabriel Heaton, the specialist and director of the books departments, said: "Shakespeare First Folio is without question, the most important publication in the history of English literature." "Without this book, no Macbeth, no Twelfth Night, no Winter's Tale. About half of Shakespeare's plays were first published in this volume," Heaton added. Richard Austin, Sotheby’s global head of books and manuscripts said, "The appearance of a Shakespeare First Folio on the market is always a major event, with so few copies remaining in private hands." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Shakespeare's First Folio to go under the hammer, expected to fetch $2.5m

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Original copy of Shakespeare's First Folio fetches $2.5 million at auction

Shakespeare's First Folio to go under the hammer, expected to fetch $2.5m