The Tragedy Of Caesar's Revenge

The Tragedy Of Caesar's Revenge

Plays on the subject of Caius Julius are so numerous that some difficulty arises in properly distinguishing the titles. In the case of the piece here reprinted the first title, which is also the head title, suggests a play of Chapmans, while the running title is the traditional property of William Shakespeare. It seems, therefore, best that it should become known by the name which appears second on the title-page. And, indeed, there is reason to suppose that it was this title that the piece originally bore, for the entry in the Registers of the Stationers Company runs as follows: The edition that followed upon this entry was undated, but probably appeared before the end of the year. It bore Wrights name and address as stationer, and the initials and device of George Eld as printer. It was a quarto printed in roman type of a body similar to modern pica (20 ll. = 83 mm.). Of this original issue copies survive in the Dyce Library at South Kensington and in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire. In other copies the original title-leaf has been cancelled and replaced by a reprint. This, which is dated 1607, bears the names of both stationers, and a different address, which is presumably Fosbrooks. The printers initials have been omitted, and, more important, his device has made way for the note Priuately acted by the Studentes of Trinity Colledge in Oxford. The original type had already been distributed, and not only the title, but also the list of personae on the verso of the leaf, was reset. Why Fosbrook should have been originally forgotten, as it would seem he was, and his portion of the stock provided with a title-page which is evidently of the nature of an afterthought, there is nothing to show. Copies of this second issue are in the Bodleian Library at Oxford and the British Museum. All the copies mentioned are perfect, and for the purpose of the present reprint those in the British Museum, Bodleian and Dyce libraries have been collated throughout. The two former are in substantial agreement: the Dyce copy has both formes of sheet A in an uncorrected state: there is a curious progressive error at l. 2481. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 30846
Author: Boas, Frederick S. (Frederick Samuel)
Release Date: Jan 4, 2010
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Boas, Frederick S. (Frederick Samuel), 1862-1957