Shakespeare (William) [First f. only of The Life of Henry the Fift]

Shakespeare (William) The Life of Henry the Fift, single leaf extracted from first folio edition, comprising pp.69-70, double column within single filet border, woodcut head-piece and initial, few short tears slightly into text, chipping with loss to few words to verso, light foxing, [ESTC S111228; Greg, III, p. 1109-12; Pforzheimer, 905; STC 22273], folio (approx. 305 x 205 mm), [Isaac Jaggard, and Edward Blount at the Charges of W. Jaggard, Ed. Blount, I. Smithweeke, and W. Aspley], 1623. *** Rare leaf from the First Folio of one of Shakespeare's historical plays. Within the opening leaf, the groundwork of the play has been set, we hear the calling for the 'Muse of Fire' to help create the story that is about to unfold. We also bear witness to the Bishop of Canterbury's self-interest in protecting his wealth, while encouraging the King and reassuring him of his God-given claim to the French throne. Within these first two pages the key themes of the play are introduced, such as: warfare, kingship, and appearances.

Estimate:£600

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