Durham First Folio Exhibition: Shakespeare Recovered

By Durham University

Application

Display Case

Category

Library
Droeshout portrait of Shakespeare from Durham’s First Folio prior to its 1998 theft.
Image 1: The Droeshout portrait of Shakespeare from Durham’s First Folio, imaged before the time of its theft in 1998. The portrait page, which featured handwritten information unique to the Durham copy, is considered permanently lost after the book’s vandalization. Image reproduced by permission of Durham University.
Pre-treatment image of Durham’s vandalized First Folio textblock with detached leaves stacked on top.
Image 2: Pre-treatment condition photograph of the vandalised textblock with its remaining detached leaves stacked on top of the rest of the text. Image reproduced by permission of Durham University.
Tissue stabilization treatment applied to the shoulder of the Shakespeare First Folio textblock.
Image 3: Tissue stabilisation work being carried out on the textblock shoulder. Image reproduced by permission of Durham University.
Portrait of Lauren Moon‑Schott, Rare Book Conservator at Durham University.
Portrait of Lauren Moon‑Schott, Rare Book Conservator at Durham University.
The 'Shakespeare Recovered' Exhibition featuring double‑sided Tru Vue Optium Acrylic plinths displaying detached folio leaves.
Image 4: The Shakespeare Recovered Exhibition. Images reproduced by permission of Durham University.

Location

Durham University, Palace Green Library, Durham, UK
4 April 2025 – 6 April 2026

Medium

Paper

Size

Various

Glazing

Optium Museum Acrylic®

The Challenge

To restore, protect, and showcase a rare and important cultural artefact, Shakespeare’s First Folio, during an exhibition while providing an optimal viewing experience.

The Solution

Optium Museum Acrylic

Anti-reflective
Allows viewers to see the book without distracting reflections.

99% UV blocking
Protects the book from the most damaging light wavelengths, helping prevent fading and degradation.

Acrylic is half the weight of glass and shatter resistant
Safeguards against injury and damage to artwork and visitors.

Anti-static protection exceeds that of glass
Immediately eliminates static charge.  Makes for safer and easier framing and less cleaning.

Abrasion resistant
A durable hard coat protects against scratches from cleaning and general exposure to the public.

The Work

  • Published in 1623, the First Folio was the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays.
  • Amongst the 36 plays included are 18 that had not previously been published, such as Macbeth and The Tempest. Without the First Folio, these works could have been lost to history.
  • Durham’s First Folio was originally purchased by Bishop John Cosin in the 1620s and added to his library in Durham in 1669.
  • Whilst around 750 copies of the First Folio were originally printed, only 235 are known to have survived. Each is unique, which made possible confirmation of the identity of the stolen Durham copy.
  • Since its return in 2010, Durham’s expert conservators have worked to preserve the historic book and find ways to make it safely accessible for future generations.

More Info

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