Shakespeare for the "Triers": Richard Hawkins and Q2 Othello at the Serjeants' Inn

In 1630, the Stationer Richard Hawkins began selling an edition of Shakespeare's Othello from "his shoppe in Chancery-Lane, neere Sergeants-Inne" (Othello 1630 title page). This edition, identified by modern scholars as Q2, is remarkable first to fully conflate existent quarto and folio texts a Shakespeare play. Scholars have remarked on process that brought Q2 into being—but question why seventeenth-century publisher/bookseller would invest time money create such remains be considered. article decenters author reconsider Q2's place among people ideas area which it was published sold: Serjeants' Inn heart Inns Court London. The examines how fashioned books sold his shop entice this local readership. Literary textual evidence Quarto then reconsidered light new readership, providing fresh insights construction unique its editorial practice. also highlights extent individual members book trade early seventeenth century engaged with readerships looks at value second-plus editions market.