In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's (1564-1616) death, a copy of the English writer's collection First Folio will be displayed at a free public exhibition from Oct 26 to 29 in Hong Kong.

The First Folio was collated seven years after the Bard's passing by fellow actors and friends John Heminge and Henry Condell, who also supervised its printing in a folio format.

The book William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies contains 36 of his 37 plays — half had never been printed, including Twelfth Night and Macbeth, making the First Folio of great importance.

It's believed about 750 copies were printed. Libraries, such as the British Library and New York Public Library, and museums around the world hold the 234 that survive.

The copy that'll be shown in Hong Kong is from the library collection of the British public school Eton College, which boasts many rare books and manuscripts dating back the ninth century. It's jointly presented by the London bookshop Heywood Hill.

The exhibition will also show three Shakespeare Quartos — a comedy, a tragedy and a historical play. It'll be held at Sotheby's Hong Kong Gallery at One Pacific Place.

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