title: The Merchant of Venice (The Jew of Venice)
variant_description: There are two issues of this edition: Greg 172e(i) contains the original title leaf dated 1637; Greg 172e(ii) contains a cancel title leaf dated 1652, and adds an advertisement for books "Printed and solde by William Leake" [A1v]. See also Greg 
title_page_title: The most excellent HISTORIE OF THE Merchant of  Venice: With the extreame cruelty of <i>Shylocke</i> the <i>Jew</i> towards the said Merchant, in  cutting a just pound of his flesh: and the obtaining of <i>Portia</i> by the choyce of three Chests.
title_page_author: Written by W<small>ILLIAM</small> S<small>HAKESPEARE</small>.
title_page_performance: As it hath been diverse times acted by the <i>Lord Chamberlaine his Servants</i>.
title_page_imprint: <i>LONDON:</i> Printed  for <i>William Leake</i>, and are to be  solde at his shop at the signe of the Crown in <i>Fleetstreet</i>, between the two Temple Gates.  1652.
paratext_charachter_list: "The Actors Names" [A1v]
paratext_other_paratexts: Advertisement for books "Printed and solde by William Leake" (including six plays) [A1v]
stationer_entries_in_register: Jul 22, 1598: Entered to James Roberts: "a booke of the Marchaunt of Venyce or otherwise called the Iewe of Venyce./ Prouided that yt bee not prynted by the said Iames Robert<i>es</i>; or anye other whatsoeuer w<sup>th</sup>out lycence first had from the Right honorable the lord Chamberlen".<br />Oct 28, 1600: Transferred from James Roberts to Thomas Hayes: "A booke called the booke of the m<i>er</i>chant of Venyce".<br />Jul 8, 1619: Transferred from Thomas Hayes decd. to Lawrence Hayes: "A play Called The Marchant of Venice".<br />Oct 17, 1657: Transferred from the widow of Lawrence Hayes and Jane Graisby to William Leake (2): "the Booke or Copie called The Merchant of Venice a Play written by William Shakespeare Gent<i>leman</i>".
transcript_modern_spelling: The most excellent history of the merchant of Venice with the extreme cruelty of Shylock the Jew towards the said merchant in cutting a just pound of his flesh and the obtaining of Portia by the choice of three chests as it hath been divers times acted by the lord chamberlain his servants written by William Shakespeare London printed for William Leake and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the crown in Fleet street between the two temple gates 1652