'A FASCINATING RELIC' - A remarkable facsimile of the will of William Shakespeare, as done in his own hand in 1616

SHAKESPEARE, William

About this Item

On March 25, 1616, just a few weeks before his death on April 25th, 1616, Shakespeare's lawyer Francis Collins attended upon him to receive instructions for certain changes to the poet's will, the first draft of which had been drawn up the previous January. Shakespeare's daughter, Judith, had subsequently married and her father wished to alter the provision he had made for her. A new first page was drafted, and there were numerous substitutions and additions in the second and third pages, but a fair copy was never produced, perhaps because Shakespeare's death was imminent. The printed introduction to this facsimile of that will says: 'The original copy of Shakespeare's will, written entirely in his own hand, is buried, although a priceless treasure, in the nether regions of Somerset House, London, in the Probate registry, where, since its formal authentication by means of a recent discovery, it is exhumed on request for the fascinated gaze of visitors from all over the world. It is the only document in the handwriting of the great Englishman which has come down to us.' Our offering is a remarkable facsimile of the original will, appearing at first glance, to be authentic, an impression reinforced by the presence of the remains of a wax seal and cord. It is tabbed on to the folder in which it, and the printed transcription, are contained. There is no evidence of who produced this remarkable facsimile, or when. There is also an authentic-looking hand-written inscription of Shakespeare on the front cover of the folder: 'Mr Shakespere his will' [sic].

Seller Inventory # 9900041577

Bibliographic Details

• Title: 'A FASCINATING RELIC' - A remarkable facsimile of the will of William Shakespeare, as done in his own hand in 1616
• Binding: Folder
• Seller catalogs:
  • Law & Crime