THE FOLGER’S SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY
MUCH MORE THAN BOOKS
The First Folio is the book that has
made possible the survival of Shakespeare’s
masterpieces. It was published seven years
after his death, and it is the first and original
printed collection of his plays. The Folger
Shakespeare Library in Washington DC, has
82 of these "First Folios,". Although the First
Folio is the most memorable of all, the book is
part of a collection of more than
160,000 printed books, 60,000 manuscripts,
drawings, paintings and sculptures, all gathered in one place thanks Henry Clay Folger. His passion for Shakespeare has created the biggest collection of Shakespearean printed material and art in the world.
In my visit to the Folger’s Library, I was fortunate to have met one of the volunteers that running the tour program. Her name is Liz Montagne. She tours the interior of the Reading Room and the library. Not long ago, only recognized scholars had access to the material in the library. Now the Folger’s provides the opportunity for students, teachers, etc. to research its content pending previous screening through a system of online reservations. Today is my lucky day. She invites me to join the tour. I am delighted and thankful for this opportunity.
At the entrance of the Reading Room, there is a foyer and a gentleman controls the access and the exiting of visitors. It is a tight space and we all gather while listening to instructions, including leaving all our belongings behind. Photography is permitted, and that is a plus. As we enter the RR our noses are hit with the aroma of books .
Fig.1 Facade. Forger Library
900,000 art pieces, including prints, illustrations,
The space resembles the Elizabethan house, a fireplace, chandeliers hanging from a high trussed celling and carved wood panels that cover the walls and bookshelves. Big volumes of different colors are neatly organized on the shelves. Everything in the Folger’s Library has been designed to imitate the Elizabethan times. (Fig.2) Especially its theater, which I will review at a later time.
Fig.2 Reading Room
Fig 3. Amulets and Wedges
The Folgers is also a museum; its collection includes paintings, illustrations, carvings, glass windows and sculptures, (Figs. 4-5) Flemish tapestries hang on the walls, showing rural scenes. I expected a dark place, but there is lots of natural light. Stained glass windows high above, filter daylight. The crystals sparkle with thousand of colors. The largest one is only visible from inside the RR. Sadly, it is not visible from the street. It is a beautiful interpretation of the poem The Seven Ages on Man (Act 2, scene 7, “As you like it”) included here in the voice of Morgan Freeman. The window was commissioned and designed by Nicola D’Ascenzo, an Italian-American artist. A Shakespeare’s wood carving guards the memorial in which Mr. and Mrs. Folger’s ashes remain. On the large oak tables, the first thing to notice are the spongy wedges to protect the binding of the books. There are many books accessible and at hand, and personnel encourage to use nothing but clean-naked-hands to feel the texture of paper. No gloves required. The space is not solemn; it is inviting and cozy. In my visit, a German scholar and an Italian professor work on their projects. They take a short break. The books have been put away during our short visit, but one researcher leaves her personal stuff on the table. Two figures, one of them Shakespeare, are presumed to be used as amulets, or for inspiration purposes (Fig.3) .
Fig.4 Seven ages of Man
Fig.5 Paintings
Fig.5 First Folio
The most important books, including all folios, are kept several floors down in a dark-vaulted room. Except for the First Folio which is exhibited in a display case in the lobby of the library. Only a few people have access to the vaulted area. Mrs. Montagne explains the procedure to get there. There is a fire door. If a fire threatens the folios, it would be extinguished without the need of water; a non-water based extinguishing mechanism removes the oxygen from the room, and would extinguish the fire without harming paper. After this fire wall, comes another safety door (like the vaults in banks). It weights a few hundred pounds so it takes a couple of big guys to open it. After this door comes another one. This is only to get to an elevator that goes a
few floors down to another vault the size of a whole city block.
The actual facade of the Folger’s building is the tip of the iceberg, the library expands a few floors down. Thousands of documents, folios and a great deal of what was printed during the Renaissance in England is safely stored in this area of the library. The First Folio is open. It is always open in Hamlet’s tragedy and where the soliloquy begins: “To be or not to be”. It was put together by two of Shakespeare’s friends, Henry Condell and john Hemmings. They were actors honoring Shakespeare after his death in 1623, by preserving his plays. They did it in a single volume. In it, 18 plays never printed before including "Twelfth Night," "Julius Caesar," "Macbeth," and "The Winter's Tale”, among others. The rest were published according to the original copies. In total 36 comedies, histories and tragedies make up this First Folio.750 reproductions of the First Folio were printed. Now days there are 233, 234 in existence. Every few years a forgotten copy would appear in an abandoned library, bookstore or storage. Just as recently as three weeks ago, a new folio was discovered in the island of Bute in Scotland.
The 400 year old First Folio weights 4
pounds 13 ounces. It is the most important
book in the English language next to the
bible. Plays and fiction were not important
documents to be preserved or printed at that
time. Only religious writings had that honor.
Each folio is different. They all have
corrections and edits. Some copies have
children’s drawings, notations and marginalia
(Fig.6). Shakespeare did not proofread or edited his
plays. He did not take the time to preserve his work; he was pretty busy writing and managing his theater, The Globe. The Folgers Library also preserves personal documents belonging to Shakespeare like a copy of his deed to a property and a Final Concord. The property was in Blackfriar, London dated 1613. The Gate House, as it was called, was a residence with a small garden that he bought as an investment. The “Final Concord” was an official legal document in two parts. The edges at the top of the buyer’s document, had to coincide with the seller’s copy as proof of authenticity. Kind of like a two-piece-puzzle. Some other documents are available in the digital version online, including an interesting story about forge love letters to Anne Hathaway, with a lock of hair included. Journals, reference writings, historical and critical analysis somehow related to Shakespeare or the Elizabethan times in different prints and bounds are also available for viewing.
The collection at the Folger’s keeps growing. Folios are found every now and then. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC has sent out the "First Folio" to all 50 states to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. It was recently at Florida International University Modesto Maidique Campus, a magnificent chance to appreciate such an important book that otherwise remains secret, hidden in bunker-vaults. At the same time we also celebrate the 400 anniversary of Cervantes’ death. What a memorable year this is, the greatest icons in the English and the Spanish language celebrating together literature, playwriting, culture and ideas.
Fig.6 Annotations
MUCH MORE THAN BOOKS
The First Folio is the book that has
made possible the survival of Shakespeare’s
masterpieces. It was published seven years
after his death, and it is the first and original
printed collection of his plays. The Folger
Shakespeare Library in Washington DC, has
82 of these "First Folios,". Although the First
Folio is the most memorable of all, the book is
part of a collection of more than
160,000 printed books, 60,000 manuscripts,
drawings, paintings and sculptures, all gathered in one place thanks Henry Clay Folger. His passion for Shakespeare has created the biggest collection of Shakespearean printed material and art in the world.
In my visit to the Folger’s Library, I was fortunate to have met one of the volunteers that running the tour program. Her name is Liz Montagne. She tours the interior of the Reading Room and the library. Not long ago, only recognized scholars had access to the material in the library. Now the Folger’s provides the opportunity for students, teachers, etc. to research its content pending previous screening through a system of online reservations. Today is my lucky day. She invites me to join the tour. I am delighted and thankful for this opportunity.
At the entrance of the Reading Room, there is a foyer and a gentleman controls the access and the exiting of visitors. It is a tight space and we all gather while listening to instructions, including leaving all our belongings behind. Photography is permitted, and that is a plus. As we enter the RR our noses are hit with the aroma of books .
Fig.1 Facade. Forger Library
900,000 art pieces, including prints, illustrations,
The space resembles the Elizabethan house, a fireplace, chandeliers hanging from a high trussed celling and carved wood panels that cover the walls and bookshelves. Big volumes of different colors are neatly organized on the shelves. Everything in the Folger’s Library has been designed to imitate the Elizabethan times. (Fig.2) Especially its theater, which I will review at a later time.
Fig.2 Reading Room
Fig 3. Amulets and Wedges
The Folgers is also a museum; its collection includes paintings, illustrations, carvings, glass windows and sculptures, (Figs. 4-5) Flemish tapestries hang on the walls, showing rural scenes. I expected a dark place, but there is lots of natural light. Stained glass windows high above, filter daylight. The crystals sparkle with thousand of colors. The largest one is only visible from inside the RR. Sadly, it is not visible from the street. It is a beautiful interpretation of the poem The Seven Ages on Man (Act 2, scene 7, “As you like it”) included here in the voice of Morgan Freeman. The window was commissioned and designed by Nicola D’Ascenzo, an Italian-American artist. A Shakespeare’s wood carving guards the memorial in which Mr. and Mrs. Folger’s ashes remain. On the large oak tables, the first thing to notice are the spongy wedges to protect the binding of the books. There are many books accessible and at hand, and personnel encourage to use nothing but clean-naked-hands to feel the texture of paper. No gloves required. The space is not solemn; it is inviting and cozy. In my visit, a German scholar and an Italian professor work on their projects. They take a short break. The books have been put away during our short visit, but one researcher leaves her personal stuff on the table. Two figures, one of them Shakespeare, are presumed to be used as amulets, or for inspiration purposes (Fig.3) .
Fig.4 Seven ages of Man
Fig.5 Paintings
Fig.5 First Folio
The most important books, including all folios, are kept several floors down in a dark-vaulted room. Except for the First Folio which is exhibited in a display case in the lobby of the library. Only a few people have access to the vaulted area. Mrs. Montagne explains the procedure to get there. There is a fire door. If a fire threatens the folios, it would be extinguished without the need of water; a non-water based extinguishing mechanism removes the oxygen from the room, and would extinguish the fire without harming paper. After this fire wall, comes another safety door (like the vaults in banks). It weights a few hundred pounds so it takes a couple of big guys to open it. After this door comes another one. This is only to get to an elevator that goes a
few floors down to another vault the size of a whole city block.
The actual facade of the Folger’s building is the tip of the iceberg, the library expands a few floors down. Thousands of documents, folios and a great deal of what was printed during the Renaissance in England is safely stored in this area of the library. The First Folio is open. It is always open in Hamlet’s tragedy and where the soliloquy begins: “To be or not to be”. It was put together by two of Shakespeare’s friends, Henry Condell and john Hemmings. They were actors honoring Shakespeare after his death in 1623, by preserving his plays. They did it in a single volume. In it, 18 plays never printed before including "Twelfth Night," "Julius Caesar," "Macbeth," and "The Winter's Tale”, among others. The rest were published according to the original copies. In total 36 comedies, histories and tragedies make up this First Folio.750 reproductions of the First Folio were printed. Now days there are 233, 234 in existence. Every few years a forgotten copy would appear in an abandoned library, bookstore or storage. Just as recently as three weeks ago, a new folio was discovered in the island of Bute in Scotland.
The 400 year old First Folio weights 4
pounds 13 ounces. It is the most important
book in the English language next to the
bible. Plays and fiction were not important
documents to be preserved or printed at that
time. Only religious writings had that honor.
Each folio is different. They all have
corrections and edits. Some copies have
children’s drawings, notations and marginalia
(Fig.6). Shakespeare did not proofread or edited his
plays. He did not take the time to preserve his work; he was pretty busy writing and managing his theater, The Globe. The Folgers Library also preserves personal documents belonging to Shakespeare like a copy of his deed to a property and a Final Concord. The property was in Blackfriar, London dated 1613. The Gate House, as it was called, was a residence with a small garden that he bought as an investment. The “Final Concord” was an official legal document in two parts. The edges at the top of the buyer’s document, had to coincide with the seller’s copy as proof of authenticity. Kind of like a two-piece-puzzle. Some other documents are available in the digital version online, including an interesting story about forge love letters to Anne Hathaway, with a lock of hair included. Journals, reference writings, historical and critical analysis somehow related to Shakespeare or the Elizabethan times in different prints and bounds are also available for viewing.
The collection at the Folger’s keeps growing. Folios are found every now and then. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC has sent out the "First Folio" to all 50 states to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. It was recently at Florida International University Modesto Maidique Campus, a magnificent chance to appreciate such an important book that otherwise remains secret, hidden in bunker-vaults. At the same time we also celebrate the 400 anniversary of Cervantes’ death. What a memorable year this is, the greatest icons in the English and the Spanish language celebrating together literature, playwriting, culture and ideas.
Fig.6 Annotations
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