Shakespeare Folios Auctioned by Sotheby's

Sotheby s auction house announced the upcoming sale of a complete set of the first four editions of William Shakespeare's collected works, known as the First Folio, Second Folio, Early texts of Shakespeare s works, and Early texts of Shakespeare s works. This collection is expected to fetch between 3.5 million and 4.5 million pounds ($6 million) at an auction scheduled for May 23. This marks the first time since 1989 that a full set of these folios will be offered as a single lot. The First Folio, published in 1623 by William Shakespeare's friends John Hemingway and Henry Condell, is considered a cornerstone of English literature, preserving many of his plays that might otherwise have been lost. The Early texts of Shakespeare s works is particularly rare due to stock destruction during the Great Fire of United Kingdom — London in 1666.