Two Left Arms and a Mask

"The portrait in the title page of the first folio edition of the plays published in 1623, which was drawn by Martin Droeshout is cunningly composed of two left arms and a mask. Martin Droeshout, its designer, was, as Mr. Sidney Lee tells us, but 15 years of age when Shakespeare died. He is not likely therefore ever to have seen the actor of Stratford, yet this is the 'Authentic,' that is the 'Authorized' portrait of Shakespeare, although there is no question--there can be no possible question--that in fact it is a cunningly drawn cryptographic picture, showing two left arms and a mask.
"Every tailor will admit that this [indicating the figure's right arm] is not and cannot be the front of the right arm, but is, without possibility of doubt, the back of the left arm.
"[The image] shows the front of the left arm, and you at once perceive that you are no longer looking at the back of the coat but at the front of the coat.
"[Examining the face], you see the mask. Especially note that the ear is a mask ear and stands out curiously; note also how distinct the line showing the edge of the mask appears. Perhaps the reader will perceive this more clearly if he turns the page upside down.
"The reader having seen the separate portions, will, I trust, be able now to perceve that this portrait is correctly characterized as cunningly composed of two left arms and a mask.

"While examining this portrait, the reader should study the lines that describe it in the Shakespeare folio of 1623, a facsimile of which is here inserted." Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence, Bacon is Shakespeare (New York, The John McBride Co., 1910)