THE REPRINT, IN 1808, OF THE FIRST FOLIO EDITION OF SHAKSPEARE.
(Vol. vi., p. 579.)
In reply to the Query of Varro, I beg to state that I possess the late Mr. Upcott's collation of the reprint of the first folio edition of Shakspeare. It consists of twenty-six folio leaves, exclusive of the fly-leaves, on the first of which occur the following notes in the handwriting of the collator:
"London Institution,
"Moorfields, Dec. 25, 1821.
"Four months and twenty-three days were occupied, during my leisure moments, at the suggestion of our late Librarian, Professor Porson, in reading and comparing the pretended reprinted fac-simile First Edition of Shakspeare with the original First Edition of 1623. With what accuracy it passed through the Press, the following pages, noticing 368 typographical errors, will sufficiently show.
Wm. Upcott."
"MS. note written in Mr. Dawson Turner's transcript of these errors in the reprint of Shakspeare, edit. 1623.
"The contents of the following pages are the result of 145 days' close attention by a very industrious man. The knowledge of such a task having been undertaken and completed, caused some alarm among the booksellers, who had expended a considerable sum of money upon the reprint of Shakspeare, of which this MS. discloses the numerous errors. Fearful, therefore, lest this should be published, they made many overtures for the purchase of it, and at length Mr. Upcott was induced to part with it to John and Arthur Arch, Cornhill, from whom he expected a handsome remuneration; he received a single copy of the reprint, published at five guineas.
"N.B. This copy, corrected by myself from the above MS., I sold to James Perry, proprietor of the Morning Chronicle, for six guineas: which at his sale (Part III.) produced 12l. 1s. 6d.
Wm. Upcott."
At the end of the volume is written:
"Finished this collation Jan. 28, 1809, at three minutes past 12 o'clock.
Wm. Upcott."
Upon comparing these remarks of Mr. Upcott with Lowndes' Bibliographer's Manual, p. 1645., col. 1., it will be seen that the latter was not accurately informed as to Perry's copy; Professor Porson having had no farther share in that laborious work than the recommending Mr. Upcott to undertake the collation, from which Perry's copy was subsequently corrected.
F. C. B.