18-21 May Firsts, London’s Rare Book Fair – ‘Shakespeare: 400 Years of Influence’

This year’s fair will respond to the theme ‘Shakespeare: 400 Years of Influence’, celebrating 400 years since the publication of the First Folio and the many books that took influence from this pivotal publication. Shakespeare’s influence can be wide-reaching and unexpected: from the plot devices of Jane Austen to the poetry of Maya Angelou; from a mobile forest marching to war over the plains of Middle Earth to the tercentenary celebrations of Shakespeare’s life held across the Arab world in 1919. Many of these titles will be on view at this year’s edition of Firsts, as a physical representation of the Bard’s pervasive influence across the centuries.

Opening times

Preview evening:
Thursday 18 May, 5pm – 9pm

Public opening:
Friday 19 May, 11am – 8pm – Tickets £10 on the door
Saturday 20 May, 11am – 6pm – Free entry
Sunday 21 May, 11am – 5pm – Free entry