Note 573 — BOOK V PLAYS AND PLAYWRIGHTS
Reading edition
I note twenty-two cases (1586–1616) in which the earliest print known falls in a calendar year later than the next after that of entry: Spanish Tragedy, 1592–4 (N.D. probably earlier); Soliman and Perseda, 1592–9 (N.D. probably earlier); James IV, 1594–8; Famous Victories, 1594–8; David and Bethsabe, 1594–9; King Leire, 1594–1605 (re-entry 1605); Four Prentices, 1594–1615 (one or more earlier editions probable); Jew of Malta, 1594–1633 (re-entry 1632); Woman in the Moon, 1595–7; George a Greene, 1595–9; Merchant of Venice, 1598–1600 (conditional entry); Alarum for London, 1600–2 (conditional entry); Patient Grissell, 1600–3 (stayed by Admiral’s); Stukeley, 1600–5; Dr. Faustus, 1601–4; Englishmen for my Money, 1601–16; Troilus and Cressida, 1603–9 (re-entry 1609); Westward Ho!, 1605–7 (conditional entry cancelled); Antony and Cleopatra, 1608–23, (re-entry 1623); 2 Honest Whore, 1608–30 (re-entry 1630); Epicoene, 1610–20 (earlier edition probable); Ignoramus, 1615–30 (re-entry 1630). The glutting of the book-market in 1594 accounts for some of the delays.