First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare – California

First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare was a touring exhibition from the Folger Shakespeare Library that visited one location in all 50 United States, Puerto Rico, and Washington DC in 2016 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

This article provides highlights from the exhibition’s visit to California.

Exhibition Location: San Diego, California

Exhibition Venue: The Old Globe with San Diego Public Library

Exhibition Dates: June 4, 2016 – July 7, 2016

Partner Organizations:

University of San Diego
San Diego State University
University of California, San Diego
San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture
KPBS, a PBS member media station owned by SDSU

Complementary Exhibition:

Publishing Shakespeare - Saturday, June 4 – Thursday, July 7, 2016

The printing of the First Folio was followed by the publication of many important volumes of historical interest. The San Diego Public Library is pleased to present rare and exquisite editions of works by and about Shakespeare. Drawing from its rare book collection, the exhibition will include more than 50 beautifully produced books and prints spanning four centuries of publishing and book art. Important publications include a 1685 copy of The Taming of the Shrew from the fourth folio; a 1769 David Garrick adaptation of Romeo and Juliet; an 1827 edition of Shakespeare’s Works with a fore-edge painting of Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon Avon; Complete Works, edited by Duyckinck and published by Porter and Coates in 1876; the 12-volume limited edition of Works, edited by Israel Gollancz, printed on handmade paper and published in 1899; the Seymour Eaton Shakespeare Rare Print Collection featuring portraits of 17th–19th century English and American actors and actresses; Poems of Shakespeare, illustrated by Bruce Rogers in 1941; editions with pictures designed and cut by Mary Grabhorn in the 1950s from San Francisco’s famous Grabhorn Press; several Doves Press editions; and various editions featuring fore-edge paintings and miniature volumes. Location:

Event List:

March 18, 2016 – Measure for Measure / Medida por Medida: A Bilingual Play
March 19, 2016 – Measure for Measure / Medida por Medida: A Bilingual Play
April 23, 2016 – Pop-Up Shakespeare: The St. Crispin’s Day Speech performances
May 17, 2016 – Family Program: Have Fun with Hamlet at Valencia Park/Malcolm X Branch Library
May 21, 2016 – Family Program: Have Fun with Hamlet at Logan Heights Branch Library and Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library
May 28, 2016 – Family Program: Have Fun with Hamlet at City Heights/Weingart Branch Library, La Jolla/Riford Branch Library, and Tierrasanta Branch Library
June 2, 2016 – A Midsummer Night’s Circus, performed by the Lindley Lopez Circus
June 3, 2016 – A Midsummer Night’s Circus, performed by the Lindley Lopez Circus
June 4, 2016 – Family Program: Have Fun With Hamlet at Carmel Valley Branch Library
June 4, 2016 – A Midsummer Night’s Circus, performed by the Lindley Lopez Circus
June 4, 2016 – Shakespeare in America, opening event
June 5, 2016 – Barry Edelstein In Conversation with James Shapiro
June 5, 2016 – Tea with the Bard
June 5 – July 7, 2016 – Something Wicked This Way: A Shakespeare Alternate Reality Game
June 6, 2016 – Panel Discussion: How The University of California Makes Shakespeare New
June 9, 2016 – Film Screening, The Tempest (2010)
June 11, 2016 – Thinking Shakespeare Live! – Folio Edition
June 11, 2016 – A Day at Court
June 12, 2016 – Family Program: Have Fun with Hamlet at Central Library
June 12, 2016 – Family Program: Words, Words, Words at Central Library
June 12, 2016 – Family Program: Create a Folio at Central Library
June 13, 2016 – Panel Discussion: Shakespeare on the American Stage: The Director and the Text
June 15, 2016 – Follow the Folio: The Fascinating History of Shakespeare on Paper
June 16, 2016 – Film Screening, Throne of Blood (1957)
June 18, 2016 – Food, Drink, and Manners at Shakespeare’s Table
June 18, 2016 – Globe Family Day
June 18, 2016 – A Day at the Theater
June 18, 2016 – Family Program: Have Fun with Hamlet at The Old Globe
June 18, 2016 – Family Program: Words, Words, Words at The Old Globe
June 18, 2016 – Family Program: Create a Folio at The Old Globe
June 20, 2016 – Panel Discussion: Engaging Shakespeare
June22, 2016 – Collecting Shakespeare: The Story of Henry and Emily Folger, a talk with the author
June 23, 2016 – Film Screening, Hamlet (2000)
June 25, 2016 – Thinking Shakespeare Live! – Folio Edition
June 25, 2016 – A Day of Games
June 27, 2016 – Versions of Shakespeare: A Roundtable Discussion
June 30, 2016 – Film Screening, 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
July 7, 2016 – Film Screening, Caesar Must Die (2013)

Click here to learn about the First Folio that visited California.