STOCK PHOTOS ONLY

The first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays, published in 1623, seven years after his death, is probably the most famous literary printed book in the world. Not undeservedly: the massive single-volume, double-column edition of thirty-six "Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies" presents eighteen plays for the first time, and provides superior texts of four of the others, which had earlier appeared in separate smaller-format versions. Had the 1623 collection never been issued, we would now possess no trace of The Tempest, Macbeth, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, Measure for Measure, or The Winter's Tale.

The volume itself (about 13 by 8 inches, 908 pages) is an imposing size and shape a mark of esteem in its day. This folio format bestowed on English drama the prestige, authority, and monumentality that was traditionally reserved for lectern Bibles, annals and law books, Foxe's Book of Martyrs, and the classics in translation. Its use for literary works had been largely restricted to such proven poets as Chaucer and Spenser, and it had never before been devoted entirely to plays.

Invaluable though it is as text, and impressive as an object, the First Folio was not always so venerated as nowadays. Less than a thousand copies took more than a decade to sell, and a reprint of 1632 (The Second Folio) proved more attractive to contemporary book lovers. The Third Folio (1664) was a new and "more complete" version of Shakespeare's oeuvre for which many seventeenth-century book collectors exchanged their copies of the "old" and presumably "obsolete" First Folio. It fell to readers, editors, and bibliophiles of later centuries, such as Samuel Johnson, to recognize how momentous the First Folio really was. This Octavo Digital Edition reproduces one of the finest copies in existence, from the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Commentary by Arthur Freeman, essays, monograph, searchable live text.

For Windows (32-bit Systems) / Mac (Power Macintosh: OS 9 or Below) [*Please review compatibility/platform sections]

LEGAL NOTE & CONDITION: This software is not installed nor has been on any of our systems. The disk(s) has been verified to read correctly. Item comes as: CD IN SLEEVE

WHAT YOU GET: This auction is for the original media, and includes only the media (ie. CD, floppy ...) UNLESS specifically stated above and/or in the title. If more than just the media is included, it will state which items are (ie. box, manual, etc ). Items that come in a sleeve refer to a generic CD sleeve (typically white) and will be sent with shipping protection to avoid damage during transit. If available, we will also send the front and/or back CD inserts if in stock. If these are important to you, please message us to verify we have them available to send. Please do not assume items are included other than what's stated. Again, ask questions PRIOR to purchasing if you have any concerns. IMAGES: All images/pictures are stock photos and are for reference only, mainly to show the type of program you will be getting. Please read "WHAT YOU GET" for what is included with the media. Screenshots may vary based on your own computer system, video card, monitor, etc. COMPATIBILITY: Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike other things, a computer program may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to programs to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the program along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors. PLATFORM: Stated within the auction is what platform the program will work on (ie. Windows, Mac, Linux...) This is a generic statement and specific platform versions (ie. XP, Vista...) will have to be researched by the buyer. Programs that came out PRIOR to XP or higher will not specifically state they will work on that release, but only because they came out before those versions were made. Many, if not most, will work on XP or higher with a few quick adjustments. We provide instructions with all items purchased on how to do this adjustment using the Program Compatibility Wizard. If we find out that an item will definately not work on a specific version, we will state it. 64-Bit Windows OS Systems: For 64-bit Operating Systems, older applications most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most applications prior to 2000). Macintosh Systems: For Macintosh programs, most older programs will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions. MEDIA FORMAT: Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive. SHIPPING: We typically ship all items out within 2-4 business days after payment is received. In regards to the stated shipping and handling, remember that these costs include more than just postage. We combine shipping and handling, with each additional item after the first just $2 more. Message us for an invoice if Ebay doesn't automatically adjust it. International buyers not shipping to an address within the U.S. can expect their orders to take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks to be received, depending on how fast/well USPS is moving. Additionally, international orders typically have to go through governmental customs, which can delay the arrival process. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the shipping company or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are not additional shipping charges. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SMOOTH PURCHASE: Ask questions PRIOR to purchasing an order to avoid any confusion. Be patient if there are problems during installation or running. Typically others have ran into that problem and have listed a solution online. Contact us and we will do our best to help. Be sure to update your video card drivers and search for updates to the game from the manufacturer. Please message us prior to leaving negative or neutral feedback in order for us to help solve your problem.