London - A copy of Shakespeare’s complete works printed in 1623 and thought to be worth £4-million has been unearthed at a provincial French library.
The book of 36 plays entitled Mr William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories And Tragedies is known as the First Folio. Of 750 printed, only 228 were still thought to exist, including five in the British Library.
It was found in the archives of the library in Saint-Omer, near Calais, and is one of the most valuable books in the world. A copy sold for £3.7-million in New York in 2001.
Library curator Remy Cordonnier said Saint-Omer’s status as one of the 17th century’s most important towns could explain the book’s discovery.
He added: “Several pages appear to be missing, including the title page, which may explain why no one spotted it earlier. We will put it on display – but we will never sell it.” - Daily Mail