The First Folio is the first collected edition of William Shakespeare's dramatic works. It was published in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare's death, by two of his former theatrical colleagues, John Heminges and Henry Condell. The Folio contains 36 plays, including 18 that had not been previously published.
Second Edition
The second edition of the First Folio was published in 1632. It contains the same 36 plays as the first edition, but with some corrections and additions.
Third Edition
The third edition of the First Folio was published in 1663. It contains the same 36 plays as the first and second editions, but with even more corrections and additions.
Fourth Edition
The fourth edition of the First Folio was published in 1685. It contains the same 36 plays as the first, second, and third editions, but with even more corrections and additions.
Number of Copies
It is estimated that around 230 copies of the First Folio were originally printed. Of these, only 233 are known to survive today. Of these, 82 are held in the United Kingdom, 77 in the United States, and the remainder in other countries.
The First Folio is one of the most valuable books in the world. In 2001, a First Folio sold at auction for $6.16 million.