Exhibition of a Stolen Work by Shakespeare

The unique First Folio of Shakespeare, once stolen from the Cosin Library at Durham University, is now on public display for the first time in over ten years at a new exhibition titled “Shakespeare Recovered.” This event tells the complete story of the theft, recovery, and complex conservation of one of the most important books in the history of world literature.

From Theft to Cultural Recovery

The Durham Folio, one of 235 surviving copies of Shakespeare’s first collected plays (published 1623), was stolen from the Cosin Library in 1998 and identified ten years later at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C. The book was found in dire condition; its cover and several pages were missing. In 2010, the work was returned to Durham, but its scientific examination and conservation process had only just begun.

Technology in Service of Literature

The “Shakespeare Recovered” exhibition for the first time showcases advanced methods of conserving and restoring this copy. Visitors can see how new scientific tools – from color spectroscopy to infrared imaging – have revealed hidden layers of history: from accidental drawings centuries ago to notes in the margins of the original text.

Since the book’s cover was damaged during the theft, the true structure of its spine is now exposed; this allows researchers to examine 17th-century bookbinding techniques and find evidence of book production during that era.

The Difficult Decision Regarding a New Binding

One of the most interesting parts of the exhibition is an interactive game that places visitors in the role of conservators to decide whether the book should be rebound with a new cover or not. This section reflects two opposing viewpoints: preserving historical authenticity versus physical revival for future protection.

The Unique Legacy of the First Folio

According to Stuart Hunt, Director of University Library and Collections, the damage to the Durham Folio has created a scientific opportunity to study this unique copy from a new angle: “The damage, while unfortunate, allowed us to see structures and details that remain hidden in intact copies. This very feature makes the Durham Folio unique among other copies.”

The First Folio contains 36 plays, including Macbeth and The Tempest; eighteen works from this collection had never been printed before. Without the publication of this book in 1623, a part of humanity’s greatest literary heritage might have been lost forever.

This historical copy was first purchased by Bishop John Cosin in the 1620s and added to Durham Library in 1669.

The Exhibition and University Programs

The “Shakespeare Recovered” exhibition was held from April 4 to November 2, 2025, at Palace Green Library, and this event was part of Durham University’s programs to expand literary studies and reintroduce England’s printed heritage. The university’s English Studies department ranks 33rd globally in the QS 2025 rankings, and the Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies is considered one of the leading centers for historical and literary research.