Shakespeare’s works were published seven years after the poet’s death in 1623 under the title “Mr. William Shakespeare Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies.” The contemporary title of the first collection is “First Folio.”

The collection was published in the folio format of 900 pages. It contains thirty-six works by Shakespeare (the collection did not include “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” and “Two Noble Kinsmen”). Two of Shakespeare’s friends, John Heminges and Henry Condell, edited the text and supervised the printing. Sources say that the book was published in 750 or about 1,000 copies. It was sold for £1, roughly equivalent to $200 today. To date, 233 have survived, with the British Library holding five of them, Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington D.C., holding 79, and six being in private hands.