[SHAKESPEARE, William (1564-1616), spurious attribution]. The History of the Life and Death of Thomas Lord Cromwell [extracted from: THE FOURTH FOLIO. London: H. Herringman, E. Brewster, and R. Bentley, 1685].
Folio (356 x 230 mm). Comprising pp.227-240 on 7 leaves (3T-3U6). (Some spotting, small repair to 3U6, affecting letters). Later half morocco gilt (light rubbing to joints).
A COMPLETE SPURIOUS PLAY FROM SHAKESPEARE'S FOURTH FOLIO.
The play was first published in quarto in 1602 by Richard Read for bookseller William Cotton. The title page attributed "W.S." as the author, and again in 1613. The "W.S." was first identified as William Shakespeare when publisher Philip Chetwinde included the play in the second impression of his Third Folio in 1664. However, modern scholars universally reject this attribution to Shakespeare. The use of the initials "W.S." has led to speculation about other authors with the same initials, notably Wentworth Smith and the actor William Sly, although there is no strong evidence supporting either as the true author.
This lot is located in Chicago.
![[SHAKESPEARE, William (1564-1616), spurious attribution]. The History of the Life and Death of Thomas Lord Cromwell [extracted from: THE FOURTH FOLIO. London: H. Herringman, E. Brewster, and R. Bentley, 1685].](https://assets.basta.app/accounts/4832eb18-f9a7-4c12-8295-871abe232696/images/6810771a-8bb2-4ed5-912e-1eeba753d217?format=auto&width=1080&quality=75)