The renowned rare book dealer Peter Harrington will present at the Abu Dhabi Art fair, launching tomorrow, the first complete collection of Shakespeare's works for sale. This is one of the most significant literary treasures, valued at 4.5 million pounds sterling (approximately 21.7 million dirhams).The appearance of this unique literary work in Abu Dhabi offers an opportunity for enthusiasts of rare books and cultural institutions in the region to join the elite of world libraries that hold copies of this collection.Peter Harrington, the owner of the Peter Harrington bookshop, stated that the printing of the first volume took nearly two years; the letters were set by hand with high precision, and several compositors participated, each with their own style of spelling and punctuation, making each copy differ slightly from the others.He explained that the volume was considered a treasure even in its time, as the cost of a single copy was equivalent to two months' wages for a skilled worker. Of the approximately 750 copies printed upon its release, only 233 copies are known to survive today, with only 24 still in the hands of individuals worldwide.
