Much ado about rare 1st edition of Shakespeare plays on display in Vancouver

The University of British Columbia has added a very valuable book to its library, and you can bet students won't be writing notes in the margins of this one.

The schoolhas acquired a complete first edition of William Shakespeare's Comedies Histories and Tragediesa rare collection of 36 of the famous Bard's known 38 plays. Also known as the First Folio, the book waspublished in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare's deathand is edited by his close friends and fellow writers and actors.

Katherine Kalsbeek,head of rare books and special collectionsat UBC Library, feltthat,with so few copies left in private hands,the library needed to act when the opportunity to acquire one came up in 2021.

"The First Folio is a cornerstone of English literature and with this donation, we are able to bring this cultural treasure into public ownership," Kalsbeek said in a statement.

WATCH |Learn more about the First Folioacquired byUBC:

Purchased through Christie's auction house

According to a statementfrom the university, only 235 copies of the First Folio remain around the world, mostly in the U.K. and U.S. The nine copies in public collections on the West Coast are all in California.

"This is really a gift, not just to UBC, but also to the City of Vancouver and to the many people in the region who appreciate Shakespeare," said Kalsbeek.

UBC purchased the First Folio, formerly owned by a private collector in the U.S., through Christie's New York with funding provided by a consortium of donors from across North America and with the generous support of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

According to the university, the price tag for its newly-acquired copy cannot be shared as part of the purchase agreement with Christie's.

An October2020 statement from Christie'sshows the auction house sold a different copy of the First Folio at that time for just shy of $10 million US.

Copy not in pristine condition

Gregory Mackie, an associate professor in UBC's department of English language and literatures, said although the price for the First Folio won't be disclosed, it's substantially lower than the copy sold at the October 2020 auction.

Mackie told CBC'sOn the Coast host Gloria Macarenkothat copies that fetch incredibly high pricesaretypically in pristine condition and often appeal to collectors. The copy UBC purchased isn't in perfect shape, Mackie added, but that adds to its appeal.

"For us for universities, for institutions, for scholars and studentsbooks that have been messed with over the centuries are far more interesting. And this one has been messed with in a really, really fascinating way."

Mackie said one page at the beginning of the book featuring a poem dedicated to Shakespearewas lost.

"It was replaced later on in the 18th century by a leaf from a different book,from a second edition that had belonged to another great writer to Samuel Johnson, the dictionary maker and editor of Shakespeare," he said.

Literary fanscan view the First Folioon display at the Vancouver Art Gallery from Jan. 12 to March 20.

The work isbeing shown along with three subsequent 17th-century Folio editions of Shakespeare's plays, as part of a new exhibitcalledFor All Time The Shakespeare FIRST FOLIO.

"It's been inspiring people all across the world in multiple languages, in many cultures for nearly 400 years," Mackie said.

"It's one of the most important books ever printed and perhaps arguably one of the most influential booksin English ever printed," he said.

And it's also one of those talismanic, magical items that people respond to with awe. I've seen it happen. It's real."