Peter Harrington Showcases Shakespeare’s First Folio At Abu Dhabi Art Fair For £4.5 Million

William Shakespeare's First Folio, a cornerstone of English literature, will be showcased at the Abu Dhabi Art fair from November 19 to 23. This rare book, presented by Peter Harrington, is priced at £4.5 million. It offers a unique chance for collectors or institutions in the Middle East to acquire one of only 24 privately held copies.

The First Folio was printed in London in 1623 by Isaac Jaggard and Edward Blount. It is the first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays, preserving thirty-six works. Without it, plays like Macbeth and The Tempest might have been lost forever. The printing process took nearly two years, with each page typeset by hand.

This literary treasure is not owned by any institution or private collection in the Middle East. Its presence in Abu Dhabi provides a rare opportunity for regional collectors to join prestigious libraries worldwide in owning this significant work. The Folger Shakespeare Library and the British Library are among those that hold copies.

Pom Harrington, owner of Peter Harrington, highlights the timeless appeal of Shakespeare's work: "Shakespeare’s work transcends time and geography." He notes how the Folio continues to inspire wonder globally, despite being printed centuries ago in England.

The First Folio was an expensive item even when it was first published. A bound folio could cost up to two months' wages for a skilled worker. Of the approximately 750 copies originally printed, only 233 are known to survive today.

Each copy of the First Folio is unique due to variations introduced by different compositors during printing. These differences in spelling and punctuation mean no two copies are exactly alike.

The upcoming sale at Abu Dhabi Art fair represents a significant moment for literature enthusiasts and collectors in the region. Acquiring this piece would place them among an elite group of global custodians of Shakespeare's legacy.

With inputs from WAM