New Folger Library Shakespeare editions

First published starting in 1992, the New Folger Library Shakespeare editions are meant to make Shakespeare's plays and sonnets accessible to all readers, regardless of their academic background. These volumes present Shakespeare's text on the right (recto) page, with notes and explanations on the facing (verso) page.

The series has been issued as both a mass market paperback and a trade paperback, and many volumes have been reissued with updated notes and/or introductions. To find Folger Library editions in Hamnet, search under Series/Uniform Title Browse for "New Folger Library Shakespeare."

Cataloging

• New Folger Library Shakespeare editions are cataloged like other modern books. We typically acquire one copy of each volume for the Reading Room, one copy for the open stacks, one copy for the Folger Archives, and occasionally one copy for the Reserve Collection. Each copy is accessioned under a distinct number:
  • 234254 - Reading Room - Copy 1
  • 234420 - Open stacks - Copy 2
  • 234255 - Archives - Copy 3
  • 234256 - Reserve - Copy 4

• Transcribe or supply an edition statement to each record, e.g.:

250 [Mass market paperback ed.] / [Trade paperback ed.]

• Call numbers were determined based on the Classification and Shelflisting Manual's guidance on multipart volumes (section G 140, Dates): a date is added to the call number based on the date of publication of the first/earliest part. In the case of New Folger Library Shakespeare editions, this date may not always appear in the volume, and will often be different from the imprint and copyright dates that are present in the volume. In case of any uncertainty, refer to the guide to distinguishing between editions below.
  • Use the List of Shakespeare's works to assign volume numbers.

Distinguishing between editions

Mass market paperback, 1992

• 18 cm
• Editors' names on title page
• Introduction by Werner Gundersheimer
• Imprint: New York : Washington Square Press : Published by Pocket Books
• PR2753.M6 1992
• 1 copy in Reading Room; 1 copy in modern stacks

Mass market paperback, 2003

• 18 cm
• Editors' names on title page
• Introduction by Werner Gundersheimer
• Imprint: New York ; London ; Toronto ; Sydney : Washington Square Press
• PR2753.M6 2003
• 1 copy in Reading Room; 1 copy in modern stacks

Tall trade paperback, 2004

• 22 cm
• Editors' names on title page
• Introduction by Werner Gundersheimer
• Imprint: New York : Washington Square Press
• PR2753.M6 2004
• 1 copy in Reading Room; 1 copy in modern stacks

Tall trade paperback, 2010

• 22 cm
• Editors' names on title page
• "Updated edition" on cover and title page
• Introduction by Michael Witmore
• Imprint: New York; London; Toronto; Sydney : Simon & Schuster Paperbacks
• PR2753.M6 2010
• 1 copy in Reading Room; 1 copy in modern stacks

Mass market hardcover, 1993

• 20 cm
• Imprint: Washington, D.C. : Privately printed for The Folger Shakespeare Library
• PR2753.M6 1993
• 1 copy in modern stacks

Trade hardcover, 2002

• 23 cm
• Imprint: New York : Washington Square Press
• PR2753.M6 2002 (was PR2753.M6 1992b)
• 1 copy in modern stacks.

Trade paperback, 1999 (discontinued)

• 20 cm
• New York : Washington Square Press : Published by Pocket Books
• PR2753.M6 1999
• Discontinued after only three volumes, and replaced by a taller (22cm) trade paperback edition. The three plays issued as part of this issue were re-issued as part of the replacement issue. All volumes of this issue were deaccessioned.