University of Nevada, Reno Between the Sheets: The Use of Paper Evidence in Bibliographic Reconstruction of the Shakespeare First Folio A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English by Lara D. Hansen Dr. Eric Rasmussen/Dissertation Advisor May 2014 © by Lara D. Hansen 2014 All Rights Reserved UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL We recommend that the dissertation prepared under our supervision by Lara Diane Hansen entitled Between the Sheets: The Use of Paper Evidence in Bibliographic Reconstruction of the Shakespeare First Folio be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Eric Rasmussen, Advisor Elizabeth Francis, Committee Member Phillip Boardman, Committee Member Kevin Stevens, Committee Member Robert Blesse, Committee Member Cheryll Glotfelty, Graduate School Representative Marsha H. Reed, Ph.D., Dean, Graduate School May, 2014 i Abstract This dissertation is a bibliographic study of William Shakespeare’s 1623 First Folio. It extends Charlton Hinman’s nearly exhaustive research in The Printing and Proof- reading of the First Folio of Shakespeare (1963). The basis for this study is the watermark and stop-press correction data collected for Eric Rasmussen and Anthony James West’s The Shakespeare First Folios: A Descriptive Catalogue (2012). The analysis of these data sets allows inferences relevant to the print conditions of William and Isaac Jaggard’s print shop during the printing of the First Folio. While most bibliographic studies focus on a single copy of a book or compares several copies of an edition, this project contributes a cross sectional analysis of 219 of the 232 extant First Folios. The large number of watermarks found on each sheet suggests diversity in the number of crown paper stocks the Jaggards used. The size and shape of the watermarks suggest a grouping that indicates multiple watermarks were present within the same paper stock. In addition, the predominance of unmarked paper in distinct signatures in the First Folio but also found throughout the volume indicate the widespread use of unmarked paper. Data relevant to the stop-press corrections reveal that there were more uncorrected sheets printed than previously suspected. This conclusion is drawn from the fact that in all the examined First Folios, uncorrected sheets were found. Not one examined copy was perfect, not even the one known presentation copy. This study concludes that printing continued during the proofing process and that there were a greater proportion of uncorrected sheets to corrected sheets as a result contrary to prior scholarship. ii This work is dedicated to my mother, for securing the love of books in my consciousness from my earliest memories and for being the model of strength and tenacity. iii Acknowledgments I wish to offer sincere gratitude for those people in my life who have loaned me their faith when mine ran low. This project required more than I had at times, and if it weren’t for a strong support system, I would never have finished. I’d like to thank my committee who encouraged my work along from my earliest days as a graduate student. It’s been a long journey and I’ve worked with the best. Dr. Phillip Boardman, a true angel on the earth, has encouraged my efforts while mentoring the occasional dalliance into Arthurian Romance and Medieval Literature. Phil is the only person I’ve ever met who has an entire Arthurian library. I’m sure someone will say the same of me one day, but I have a lot of catching up to do. Dr. Kevin Stevens has offered helpful suggestions which have been invaluable to me in placing my work in a historical context. I’d like to thank Robert Blesse, who taught me how to set type, always advising me to watch my p’s and q’s and to never be out of sorts. Dr. Elizabeth Francis introduced me to bibliography, for which I’m ever grateful. This key element in my education has turned my lifelong love of books into a passionate area of study. Elizabeth’s tireless efforts in editing my chapters were critical in shaping and completing the dissertation. Acknowledging Dr. Eric Rasmussen here seems entirely inadequate. Dr. Rasmussen’s encouragement has meant the world to me personally and professionally. Eric’s mentorship as a textual scholar opened a new avenue of Shakespeare studies for me, blending bibliography and literature. I was excited to apply my new skills to the exciting project of cataloging the extant Shakespeare First Folios. The look on Eric’s face when the first time I found a pattern in the First Folio data was priceless. His mixture of surprise and enthusiasm propelled me to seek and find yet other patterns in order to tell new stories about the First Folio production. Eric’s support has made me a scholar. I’d like to take the opportunity to recognize the community of scholars and support staff in the English Department of UNR. They’ve been at times an intellectual challenge, a source of inspiration, a vent for frustration, an audience for my jokes, and a shoulder to cry on. Dr. Cheryll Glotfelty, in particular, provided an intervention at a critical point. The colleagues with whom I’ve shared office space and war stories constantly remind me that our students need us. I especially express my gratitude to my fellow dissertators, Cassie Hemstrom, Zachary Bankston, and Meghan Sweeney, who took up residence on the fifth floor of the Knowledge Center this past year. Text messages announcing that one or all of them were at the KC working motivated me to pack up and join them. We developed a trench mentality that kept us all going. In his book The Shakespeare Thefts, Eric called me, Don Bailey, Sarah Stewart, Trey Jansen, and Mark Farnsworth “Folio Hunters.” I’d like to thank my fellow Folio Hunters for their support and friendship over the years. Sarah has been a fantastic sparring partner iv and traveling companion. Don’s willingness to listen as well as his meticulous eye was a huge help over the last year of the project. I am deeply grateful to friends and family who have inspired me and put up with me through the years of my graduate education. I’ve leaned on you the most and you’ve never broken. Dr. Patricia Chatham’s support allowed me to see and reach the finish line. I especially want to thank Diane Miller for letting me use her house as my base camp for my east coast travels and for reminding me to tend to my spiritual life along with my intellectual one. Finally, I want to express my gratitude to my sons, Tim and Craig. They have always understood and supported my need to continue my education and to see learning as a lifelong pursuit. I hoped my example as a student would serve as an example for them, but their dedication to their studies and talents has been my inspiration. v Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Preface................................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 2 Chapter 2: Prior Scholarship/Literature Review ................................................................. 7 Chapter 3: Methodology ................................................................................................... 23 Chapter 4: The Composition of the First Folio ................................................................. 48 Chapter 5: Data, Story of Quires....................................................................................... 56 Chapter 6: Data, The Printing Sequence ........................................................................... 86 Chapter 7: Data Analysis, First Folio Watermarks and Paper Stocks ............................ 112 Chapter 8: Data Analysis, Stop-Press Corrections and Perfecting ................................. 133 Chapter 9: Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................. 148 Bibliography ................................................................................................................... 151 vi List of Tables Table 1 Paper Sizes and Prices ....................................................................................... 115 Table 2 First Folio Watermark Names and Frequencies ................................................ 117 Table 3 Unmarked paper, Comedies ............................................................................... 120 Table 4 Unmarked paper, Histories ................................................................................ 121 Table 5 Unmarked Paper, Tragedies ............................................................................... 122 Table 6 Paper Stock and Frequency................................................................................ 130 Table 7 Stop-Press Corrections Per Page........................................................................ 136 Table 8 Number of Copies Containing Uncorrected Pages by Stop-Press Correction ... 145 vii List of Figures Figure 1 Folio in Sixes Layout.......................................................................................... 51 Figure 2 Folio in Sixes (top view) ...................................................................................