Paperblanks + Folger Shakespeare Library

Embrace the timeless works of William Shakespeare through our partnership with the Folger Shakespeare Library.

A NEW RELATIONSHIP

The Folger Shakespeare Library makes Shakespeare’s stories and the world in which he lived accessible to everyone. Home to the largest Shakespearean collection in the world, the Folger is a place where conversation is encouraged and curiosity is embraced.

Its diverse range of exhibitions, interactive displays, and captivating performances offer countless ways to engage with the world of William Shakespeare. Through groundbreaking research and educational programming, the Folger ensures that Shakespeare’s masterful works continue to be studied and celebrated.

We are delighted to partner with the Folger Shakespeare Library, an institution that holds cultural appreciation and preservation at the heart of its mission. Based in Washington, D.C., the Folger invites everyone to connect with Shakespeare’s works in their own way. Through partnerships like this, they continue to extend this mission outward, encouraging new pathways of engagement and deeper connections to the arts.

Be sure to check out this beautiful institution the next time you are in Washington, D.C.!

Photo by Lloyd Wolf

A Word From The Folger Shakespeare Library

“Celebrate the beauty of rare books and the English Renaissance in a collaboration with the Folger Shakespeare Library, home to the world's largest Shakespeare collection. Exquisite bindings from the Folger’s unparalleled collection connect Shakespeare's world and our own.

This new collaboration features War of the Roses binding. The rare volume includes two of the Henry VI plays which capture one of the most dramatic periods in English history as told by William Shakespeare.”

A Shared Passion

“I’ll note you in my book of memory.”

—Plantagenet, Henry VI, Part 1, Act II, Scene 4

The inspiration behind the first design in our Shakespeare’s Library series, First Folio, came from what is considered one of the most influential books ever published. The First Folio is acknowledged as the only reliable text for 18 of Shakespeare’s plays that had never been previously printed, including Macbeth, The Tempest, and Twelfth Night. Due to its historical significance and its role in preserving Shakespeare’s legacy, we knew that recreating this beautiful binding on our Paperblanks products was the perfect pairing.

Our War of the Roses design puts a new spin on a 1907 binding crafted by the Club Bindery in New York. Held within the original binding were two Shakespeare volumes: The Whole Contention betweene the Two Famous Houses, Lancaster and Yorke and Pericles, Prince of Tyre, both printed in 1619. The Whole Contention is now considered a corrupt version of Parts 2 and 3 of Henry VI, one of Shakespeare’s greatest works.

Through Paperblanks’ mission of creating a world of possibilities, we are delighted to share our passion with the Folger Shakespeare Library, an institution that welcomes all in celebrating and honouring the works of William Shakespeare.

Developing The Release

It has been a pleasure working with the Folger Shakespeare Library over the years to celebrate the iconic and monumental works of William Shakespeare. Our Graphics department has taken great joy in reimagining these beautifully preserved bindings, giving them a new lease of life through our Paperblanks products.

“Two stunning antique bindings from the esteemed vaults of the Folger Shakespeare Library – one of our trusted partners over the years. Our recent release, War of the Roses, immediately captured our attention with its delicate embellishments. The whimsical flow of the frame’s elements is beautifully balanced by the harmony and symmetry of five cross-like motifs. It’s an intricate labyrinth of imagined pathways and playful squiggles that guide the eye with delightful ease. The gold foils shine beautifully against the richness of the reds in the background, evoking times of grand splendour.”

– Adina Costiuc, Art Director

The Future

We are thrilled for what the future holds through our partnership with the Folger Shakespeare Library. As an institute dedicated to preserving the beloved works of William Shakespeare, and with our commitment to bringing these masterpieces to life in engaging new formats, this collaboration is a natural fit for fostering creativity and inspiring the next generation of literary works. From such varied works as First Folio and War of the Roses, the possibilities for our next binding are truly endless!

This striking design comes from a 1907 binding crafted by the famed Club Bindery in New York. The luxurious tooling of the original book was finished in 23 karat gold, with the work carried out by an artisan specially enlisted from Paris. Inside the binding were two William Shakespeare volumes printed in 1619: The Whole Contention betweene the two Famous Houses, Lancaster and Yorke and Pericles, Prince of Tyre.

This gold-tooled design comes from a unique binding attributed to Christian Samuel Kalthoeber, a German bookbinder working in London. He created the beautiful new cover for this copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio around 1800. Originally published in 1623, Mr. William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies (or, First Folio) is one of the most valuable books ever printed.