Shakespeare, William. The Life and Death of King John. From Shakespeare's Second Folio

SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN. LONDON: PRINTED BY THO. COTES, 1632

Folio (12 1/8 x 8 1/2 in.; 308 x 216 mm). 1-22pp. Expertly bound to style in paneled calf, covers tooled in blind, upper cover gilt lettered.

From Shakespeare's second folio

Shakespeare's famed four folios comprise the first four editions of his collected plays, all printed in the 17th century. The second folio of 1632, like the first folio of 1623, contains 36 plays. It is estimated that fewer than 1,000 copies of the second folio were printed and fewer than 200 copies are in existence today.

"The Life and Death of King John" tells the story of King John, who reigned from 1199 to 1216. John seized the throne from his nephew Arthur, and goes to war with France after refusing the prior King's demand that Arthur assume his position. Thus, both militaries and families battle to the end in this timeless play.

(See lots 123-126)

REFERENCE:

STC 22274a; Greg III:1113-1116; Jaggard, 496; Pforzheimer 906