400

Thomas Heywood (d. 1641)

An Apology for Actors.

London: Printed by Nicholas Okes, 1612.
First edition, quarto, title printed within woodcut border (McKerrow & Ferguson 100); bound in modern half calf (worn); a very large copy, possibly never trimmed, with deckle edges throughout; ex libris Sir Joseph Copley, 3rd Baronet (1769-1838), with his armorial bookplate; title dusty; rare at auction; 7 3/4 x 5 3/4 in.

STC 13309; Pforzheimer 471; ESTC S106113.

"In An Apology for Actors, published in 1612, Thomas Heywood, a poet and playwright contemporary to Shakespeare, complains about William Jaggard's The Passionate Pilgrim and appears to imply Shakespeare's grievances as well. When William Jaggard published a third edition of The Passionate Pilgrim in 1612, he continued to advertise 'By W. Shakespeare.' on its title page. [...] Heywood, who knew Shakespeare's work well, did not approve of Jaggard's attempt to entice customers by appropriating his poetry. However, since Jaggard had established his rights to Heywood's work, Heywood had no recourse except to attach an angry letter to a work produced by another stationer. [...] Because Shakespeare never directly expressed an interest or investment in his own status and ambition as an author in print, scholars have interpreted the remark Heywood attributed to him as crucial evidence that allows us to access Shakespeare's own attitudes." (Quoted from Adam G. Hook's "An Apology for Actors: Thomas Heywood's reply to Passionate Pilgrim," from the Folger Shakespeare Library's blog: https://shakespearedocumented.folger.edu/resource/document/apology-actors-thomas-heywoods-reply-passionate-pilgrim)

  • Condition: A4, a4, B-G4.

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