DEEP: Database of Early English Playbooks

1653 Hemings, William The Fatal Contract (The Eunuch)

Reference Information

DEEP #: 1073
Greg #: 714a(i)
STC/Wing #: H1422
Record Type: Single-Play Playbook
Play Type: Adult Professional
Genre (Annals): Tragedy
 
Book Edition: 1
Play Edition: 1
Format: Quarto
Leaves: 36
Date of First Publication: 1653
Date of First Production: 1639 [c.1638-1639(?)]
Company of First Production: Queen Henrietta Maria's Men
Company Attribution: Queen Henrietta Maria's Men
 
Total Editions: 1 quarto
 
Variants: There are two issues of this edition, varying in the imprint: Greg 714a(i) is dated 1653, and lists "J. M." as publisher; Greg 714a(ii) is dated 1654, and lists Penneycuicke as publisher. See also Greg 714a(ii)

Title-Page Features

Title: THE Fatal Contract, A French TRAGEDY.
Author: Written by William Hemings, Master of Arts of Oxon.
Performance: As it was Acted with great Applause by her Majesties SERVANTS.
Imprint: Printed by the Original Copy. Printed at London for J. M. in the Year, 1653.

Paratextual Material

Dedication: "Epistle to: James Compton, 3rd Earl of Northampton; and Lady Isabella (Sackville) Compton; from: " A. T."; and "A. P." [A2r]
Character List: "The Persons of the Play" [A2v]

Stationer Information

Printer: [unknown]
Publisher: Marriot, John
Entries in Stationers' Register: Nov (or Dec?) 29, 1653: Entered to Richard Marriot: "The Eunuch a Tragedy".
 
Additional Notes: Greg argues that the Stationers' Register entry to Richard Marriot of "The Eunuch" on November or December 29, 1653, probably does not refer to this play (Bibliography, 2:713).