DEEP: Database of Early English Playbooks

1636 Davenant, William The Wits

Reference Information

DEEP #: 855
Greg #: 507a(*)
STC/Wing #: 6309
Record Type: Single-Play Playbook
Play Type: Adult Professional
Genre (Annals): Comedy
 
Book Edition: 1
Play Edition: 1
Format: Quarto
Leaves: 40
Date of First Publication: 1636
Date of First Production: 1634 [licensed for stage, Jan 19]
Company of First Production: King's Men
Company Attribution: King's Men
 
Total Editions: 1 quarto
 
Variants: Leaf A1 exists in two states: in Greg 507a(*), Herbert's license is printed on A1v (recto blank); in Greg 507a(†), both pages are blank. See also Greg 507a(†)

Title-Page Features

Title: THE WITTS. A Comedie,
Author: The Authour WILLIAM D'AVENANT, Servant to Her Majestie.
Performance: PRESENTED AT THE Private House in Blacke Fryers, by his Majesties Servants.
Imprint: LONDON, Printed for RICHARD MEIGHEN, next to the Middle Temple in Fleetstreet. 1636.

Paratextual Material

Dedication: Epistle to: Endymion Porter (courtier); from: William Davenant [A3r]
Commendatory Verses: 1: by "T. Carew" [var.: "Crew"] [A3v]
Character List: "The Persons of the Comedy" [A4v]

Stationer Information

Printer: Mathewes, Augustine
Publisher: Meighen, Richard
Imprint Location: W.13 (Fleet St. - Middle Temple)
License: "This Play, called The Witts, as it was Acted without offence, may bee Printed, not otherwise. 19. Ianuary 1635. Henry Herbert" [A1v]
Entries in Stationers' Register: Feb 4, 1636: Entered to Richard Meighen: "another Play Called. the Witts by wm. Davenant".
Nov 7, 1646: Transferred from Mercy Meighen, the widow of Richard Meighen, to herself and George Bedell: "The Witts. ... by mr Davenant."