A rare and valuable copy of William Shakespeare's First Folio - the first-ever compilation of the Bard's plays - has been uncovered in a provincial library in France. The 1623 book, which is one of the most coveted in the world, lay undiscovered among hundreds of others in St-Omer, near Calais, for some 400 years. Worth up to £3.5 million ($5.5 million), it was discovered when librarian Remy Cordonnier dusted off a book of Shakespeare's works for an exhibition. Hidden in plain sight: A rare and valuable copy of William Shakespeare's First Folio (pictured), the first-ever compilation of the Bard's plays, has been uncovered in a provincial library in northern France
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Found in St-Omer, the book is the first compilation of the Bard's plays
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Book is the 231st copy found in the world, and only the second in France
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Because it is in English, it is thought French readers overlooked it
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It is in good condition, but missing 30 pages, including the title page
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First folio is the only source for 18 of Bard's plays, including Macbeth
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Published seven years after Shakespeare's death, it originally sold for £1
It was designed, according to the editors, 'only to keep the memory of so worthy a friend and fellow alive, as was our @placeholder'.