A SHAKESPEARE FIRST FOLIO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18856, 8 May 1923, Page 8

A SHAKESPEARE FIRST FOLIO

(From Our Own Cop.rewondekt.) SYDNEY, April 25. The celebration this week of the birthday of Shakespeare as well as the tercentenary of the publication of the first folio of the great poet’s .works, recalls the manner in which. Sydney received its copy of the most important of the innumerable editions of Shakespeare’s plays. In 1883 or 18£4 Sir Richard Tangye, of. the engineering firm of Tangye Bros.,’ Birmingham, called at the Australian Museum to see some Captain Cook relies, which ho had some time previously presented. After some searching the relics were found lying in a cupboard c-'vered with dust, evidently not appreciated ' Sir Richard was not only annoyed at this, but also at what he regarded as the curt manners of the curator, and he strolled along to the Free Public Library—the present reference library, in Macquarie street. Mere he unburdened himself to the librarian (Mr R. C. Walker),, who was ignorant of the visitor's identity. Mr Walker gave him much valuable information, and during Sir Richard’s stay in •Sydney the two became familiar. Upon his return to England Sir Richard often discussed with his,, brothers how well he had been received at the library, and suggested that the firm might make some presentation to the library. When a First Folio Shakespeare came on to the market the • firm bought it and presented it to the library. Tire purchase price was £750, but it is probably worth £3OOO now, in spite of the fact that from,the bibliophile’s point of view it is not a perfect copy.