Folger Shakespeare Library Will Tour FIRST FOLIO! THE BOOK THAT GAVE US SHAKESPEARE Throughout U.S. in 2016

Established in 1932, Washington D.C.'s Folger Shakespeare Library boasts the world's largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare. As one of the many cultural institutions commemorating 2016 as the 400th anniversary of The Bard's passing, the library has announced an unprecedented national tour of Shakespeare's First Folio.

The 1623 publication was assembled to include 36 of Shakespeare's plays. Eighteen of them, including, JULIUS CAESAR, MACBETH, AS YOU LIKE IT and THE TEMPEST had not been previously published and could have otherwise been lost. The Folger's collection of 82 of the 233 known surviving First Folios is by far the world's largest.

In partnership with the Cincinnati Museum Center and the American Library Association, FIRST FOLIO! THE BOOK THAT GAVE US SHAKESPEARE will bring original volumes of this historic book to all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico in an exhibition touring 23 museums, 20 universities, five public libraries, three historical societies, and one theatre.

Visitors to FIRST FOLIO! will come face to face with the original 1623 book, displayed open to Hamlet's speech in which he debates whether "to be or not to be." Each FIRST FOLIO! host location has also planned public events and activities, often including additional exhibitions, in joyful celebration of the book that saved so many of Shakespeare's dramas and the amazing plays it holds.

Visit folger.edu/first-folio-tour for FIRST FOLIO!'s complete touring schedule.