A Shakespeare first Folio

Samoanische Zeitung, Volume 23, Issue 30, 27 July 1923, Page 7

A Shakespeare first Folio

The celebration this year of the birthday ot Shakespeare, as Well as the tercentenary of the pub hcation ot the firtt totio of the great poet's works, recalls the manner in which Sy.lney received its copy of the most important of the inuumera 1 le editions ot Shakespeare's plays. Iu 1883 or 1884 Sir Richard'fangye. ot the engineering firm ot Tangye Bios., Birmingham, called at the Australian Museum to see some Capiain Cook relics, which he had some time previously presented. After some searching the relics were lourd lying in a cupboard covered with dust, evidently not appreciated. Sir Richard was not only annoyed at this, but at what he regarded as the curt manners of the curator, aud he strolled along to the Free PablicLibrary -the preseut ref.-r ence library, in Macquarie street. Here he unburdened himself to the librarian (Mr R C Walker), who was ignorant ol the visitor's identity Mr Walker gave him valuable information, and during Sir Richard's stay in Sydney the two became familiar. Upon his return to England, Sir Richard olten discussed with his brother how well be bad been receiv.d at the library, aud suggested that the firm might make some presentation to the library. When a First Folio Shakespeare came on the market, the firm bought I it and presented it to the library The purcba«e price was £750, but it is probably worth now. in spite of the fact that from the bibliophile's point ot view it is cot a perfect copy.