{"product_id":"the-first-quarto-of-king-richard-iii-early-quartos","title":"The First Quarto of King Richard III - Early Quartos","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur review of The First Quarto of King Richard III finds it essential for anyone serious about textual scholarship or the history of Shakespearean performance. This edition presents the 1597 Quarto alongside a careful collation of variant readings and substantial textual notes, and it advances a clear argument about memorial reconstruction by the Lord Chamberlain's Men. For readers who want to understand why the Quarto and the First Folio diverge, this edition provides the single biggest benefit: rigorous documentation of roughly 2,000 verbal differences that illuminate how an early touring text may have become the printed Quarto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTextual collation:\u003c\/strong\u003e A line-by-line collation of variant readings shows the differences between the 1597 Quarto and the First Folio so readers can trace specific changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstantial notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Detailed textual notes explain editorial choices and situate variant readings in their historical and performance contexts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArgument for memorial reconstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e The editor presents a sustained case that the Quarto derives from a memorially reconstructed manuscript used during touring performances.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on early texts:\u003c\/strong\u003e The edition treats the Quarto as an independent witness to the play, useful for editors and students comparing authoritative versions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly apparatus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Collation and commentary are arranged to support close reading and further research into textual transmission.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis edition is aimed at scholars, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates in Shakespeare studies who need a reliable presentation of an early, variant text and the scholarly apparatus to interpret it. It is particularly valuable for those studying textual transmission, performance history, or editorial method.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeneral readers who prefer a single authoritative modern text or a performance-friendly edition might find the detailed collation and technical notes more exhaustive than necessary and should consider a modern critical edition for comfortable reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a comprehensive collation that makes the roughly 2,000 verbal differences accessible for study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSubstantial textual notes clarify editorial decisions and historical context for variant readings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe argument about memorial reconstruction offers a meaningful interpretive framework for both editors and historians.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe focus on collation and variants means this is a scholarly edition, not a streamlined reading text for casual readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe First Quarto of King Richard III (The New Cambridge Shakespeare: The Early Quartos)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEditor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeter Davison\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWilliam Shakespeare\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTextual witness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1597 Quarto compared with 1623 First Folio\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey finding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 2,000 verbal differences documented\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCollation of variants and substantial textual notes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis edition is recommended for anyone pursuing serious textual work or performance history because it combines thorough collation with persuasive interpretation about memorial reconstruction; as a specialist resource it offers excellent value for scholars and students who need primary evidence and careful commentary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this edition include both Quarto and Folio texts?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt presents the 1597 Quarto with a collation against the 1623 First Folio rather than printing both in full side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for classroom use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes for seminars and advanced courses focused on textual criticism or performance history; general introductory classes may prefer a more accessible modern edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho edited this volume?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe edition and accompanying argument are presented by editor Peter Davison.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"William Shakespeare, Peter Davison","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48201283076315,"sku":"0521418186","price":191.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51Fc1GJ26wL._SL1000.jpg?v=1769684945","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-first-quarto-of-king-richard-iii-early-quartos","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}