SHAKESPEARE, William (1564-1616). Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies. Published according to the true Original Copies. Unto which is added, Seven Plays, never before Printed in Folio. The Fourth edition. Edited by John Heminge (d. 1630) and Henry Condell (d. 1627), except for Pericles and six other plays added by the publisher of the Third Folio, Philip Chetwind (d. 1680). London: Printed [by Robert Roberts and others] for H. Herringman, E. Brewster, and R. Bentley, 1685.

The Fourth Folio, the last of the 17th-century editions of Shakespeare's collected plays. The Fourth Folio remained the preferred edition, regarded by editors, readers, and collectors as textually the best, until Samuel Johnson and Edward Capell established the primacy of the First Folio text in the mid-18th century. It was set from the second issue of the Third Folio, containing the additional plays, of which Pericles is authentic, but now in a grander presentation, printed on larger paper with a larger type fount and more liberally spaced. In common with the Third, the Fourth Folio dropped the final 'e' from Shakespeare's name, a habit which persisted until the beginning of the 19th century.

Three issues of the Fourth Folio have been identified, differing only in the title-page; the present copy is the first issue, before Chiswell’s name was added to the imprint. Greg notes that 17 reprinted sheets are found in some copies; these sheets are in their original state here. Various errors occur in the quire signatures, some of which have been corrected in manuscript, very likely while still in the hands of the printer or publisher. Bartlett 123; Gregg III, p. 1119; Jaggard p. 497; Pforzheimer 910; Wing S-2915.

Folio (350 x 226mm). 458 leaves. Roman and italic types, double column text within typographical rules, headlines and catchwords, woodcut initials, engraved portrait of Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout above the verses 'To the Reader' on verso of the first leaf, title with fleur-de-lis device (portion of cheek in portrait restored in neat facsimile, a few marginal repairs occasionally touching ruled border, tiny rust hole in K3 affecting a couple of letters, 2I4 partially remargined affecting a few words, 2K5-6 with short repaired tears just into text at foot, portrait leaf and final leaf largely remargined, variable browning, a few stains.) Contemporary paneled speckled calf, later marbled endpapers (rebacked and restored). Modern box. Provenance: Susanna Goodwin (18th-century inscription on A1v recording gift of the volume to her granddaughter of the same name).