Large paper copy.- Jonson (Ben) The Workes, first collected edition, a large paper copy, initial blank, engraved pictorial title by William Hole (Greg's variant *1 and Pforzheimer's C), woodcut head- and tail-pieces and decorative initials, occasional early ink marginalia (those in The Alchemist possibly markings for performance), lacking Ee5&6 and Ff5&6, title torn at lower corner with loss, trimmed, and laid down, Yy5 large tear at lower corner with loss of a few letters, a few tears without loss, a few ff. with part of margin torn away, not affecting text, water-stained at lower corners, occasional spotting and staining (most noticeably to quire Nn), 18th century panelled calf, gilt spine in compartments and with red morocco label, upper cover detaching, lower joint splitting, but holding firm, spine ends chipped, outer edges worn, rubbed, [Greg III: 1070; Pforzheimer 559; STC 14751], folio (text block 294 x 180mm.), Imprinted at London by Will Stansby, 1616.

⁂ A rare large paper copy of what may be considered the second most important theatrical publication of the seventeenth century after the 'First Folio'. Indeed, Jonson's folio provided the precedent and model to Heminges and Condell for their later publication. Shakespeare's name in fact appears twice in Jonson's folio, where he is listed among the principal players for 'Every Man in his Humour' and 'Seianus'. Our copy conforms to Pforzheimer's variants given for titles and quire Yy. The copy was no doubt trimmed by the binder in the 18th century (see occasional trimmed ink marginalia), making it smaller than the other infrequent large paper copies that have come to auction.

Provenance: Richard Caton (1842-1926, Lord Mayor of Liverpool 1907-1908).