The University of British Columbia Library has been gifted a very unique William Shakespeare book featuring 36 of his 38 known plays.

Also known as The First Folio, William ShakespeareB次元官网网址檚 Comedies Histories and Tragedies was edited by some of his close friends, including fellow writers and actors. It was published seven years after his death, in 1623, and it viewed as the most accurate of all early printings.

The book was previously owned by a private collector in the U.S. UBC purchased the book with the help of many donors across North America and support from the Department of Canadian Heritage.

B次元官网网址淲e are deeply grateful to the many foundations and individual donors who have been essential in making an acquisition like this possible,B次元官网网址� said University Librarian Dr. Susan E. Parker.

Katherine Kalsbeek, the head of rare books and special collections at UBC, first became aware of the availability of the book at the beginning of 2021. There are only 235 copies in the world and this is now the second in Canada.

B次元官网网址淭he First Folio is a cornerstone of English literature,B次元官网网址� said Kalsbeek. B次元官网网址淎dding a First Folio to the UBC Library collection represents a milestone in terms of our development as both a library and as a university.B次元官网网址�

With the acquistion of the historic book, it gives many people and students a chance to dive into a piece of history that consumes people more than they realize.

Next steps include making the book and its contents more accessible to everyone, including collaborating on an augmented and virtual reality presentations B次元官网网址� work being done by the universityB次元官网网址檚 Centre of Digtal Media B次元官网网址� with the hope of not only gaining new communities but also amplifying one of the worldB次元官网网址檚 more precious pieces of writing, UBC said.

B次元官网网址淧reserving this precious book in UBC Library makes it accessible for future generations,B次元官网网址� said president Santa J. Ono.

The school also plans on partnering with many arts centres around the province, including the Vancouver Art Gallery, to gain exposure to the book.

B次元官网网址淭his is really a gift, not just to UBC, but also to the city of Vancouver and to the many people in the region who appreciate Shakespeare,B次元官网网址� said Kalsbeek.

The historic piece of history is available for the public to exhibit at the from Jan. 12 to March 22.

jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.ca
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