3 - Textual Studies

Summary

During the last fifteen years, there has been curiosity about the minutely detailed study of the Shakespeare First Folio by C. K. Hinman and the machine he invented to facilitate his work. From time to time he has published announcements of the discovery of pages bearing the marks of Jaggard’s proof-reader; evidence that the Folio was set by formes and not seriatim, page by page; and the characteristics of an apprentice workman who, unfortunately for scholarship, had a large hand in the setting of the tragedies. These fragmentary interim reports have but whetted interest in the opus magnum which was in prospect. Now that this is in process of publication, Hinman has decided to give a hint of some of his conclusions. The first reading of the printed version of his lecture—slightly abridged but not altered substantially—may dismay a little those who do not grasp the significance of some of Hinman’s comments or who have not heard in private conversation of some of the discoveries that are not even glanced at in this latest report.