DEEP: Database of Early English Playbooks

1640 Shirley, James The Opportunity

Reference Information

DEEP #: 950
Greg #: 575a(§)
STC/Wing #: 22452
Record Type: Single-Play Playbook
Play Type: Adult Professional
Genre (Annals): Comedy
 
Book Edition: 1
Play Edition: 1
Format: Quarto
Leaves: 38
Date of First Publication: 1640
Date of First Production: 1634 [licensed for stage, Nov 29]
Company of First Production: Queen Henrietta Maria's Men
Company Attribution: Queen Henrietta Maria's Men
 
Total Editions: 1 quarto
 
Variants: There are three issues of this edition, varying in the imprint: Greg 575a(*) is dated 1640, lists Cotes as printer, and names Crooke and Cooke as publishers in London; Greg 575a(†) is undated, lists Cotes as printer, and names Crooke as publisher in London; 575a(§) is dated 1640, lists no printer, and names Crooke as publisher in Dublin. See also Greg 575a(*); 575a(†)

Title-Page Features

Title: THE OPPORTVNITIE A COMEDY,
Author: Written by IAMES SHIRLEY.
Performance: As it was presented by her Majesties Servants, at the private House in Drury Lane.
Imprint: Printed for Andrew Crooke, and are to be sold at the Castle Gate in Dublin. 1640.

Paratextual Material

Dedication: Epistle to: Richard Owen (rear admiral); from: James Shirley [A2r]
Character List: "The Actors Names" [A2v]

Stationer Information

Printer: Cotes, Thomas
Publisher: Crooke, Andrew (1)
Bookseller: Allott, Thomas (?)
Imprint Location: Dublin
Entries in Stationers' Register: Apr 25, 1639: Entered to Andrew Crooke (1) and William Cooke: "these five playes vidlt ... Oportunity."