A wittie and pleasant comedie called The taming of the shrew
Subtitle: as it was acted by His Maiesties Seruants at the Blacke Friers and the Globe
By: written by VVill. Shakespeare
Contributors: Smethwicke, John, -1641, bookseller; Stansby, William, active 1597-1638, printer; Barton, Thomas Pennant, 1803-1869, former owner; Crump, John, former owner; Wolfreston, Frances, 1607-1677, former owner
Publisher: Printed by W[illiam]. S[tansby]. for Iohn Smethwicke, and are to be sold at his shop in Saint Dunstones Churchyard vnder the Diall
Published: 1631
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 72
Other titles: Shakespeare Collection (Collection of Distinction)
Work titles: Taming of the shrew
Notes: Mostly in verse.

Printer's name from STC.

Signatures: A-Íþ.

Running title reads: The taming of the shrew.

Bartlett, H.C.  Shakespeare early editions, 110

Bartlett & Pollard.  Shakespeare's quartos (rev. ed.), 1168

Boston Public Library.  Barton collection catalogue,   Shakespeare, p. 40

STC (2nd ed.) 22327

Greg,  I, 120(e)

ESTC S111180

Cataloged 2015 jmoschella

Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) copy G.176.39 bound in early sprinkled leather (calf or sheep) that has been rebacked with brown goatskin. Red and black spine labels from the earlier binding have been retained. An engraved portrait of Shakespeare by Hall is pasted to the verso of the front flyleaf. The words "second edition" are inscribed on the title page in an early hand. A list of dramatis personae in an early hand, along with a brief ledger note (in a different hand) are present on the verso of the title page. The autograph of John Crump is present at the head of A2 recto. A stamped armorial bookplate with the motto "Nec ab ordine cedunt" (arms and motto of the Buckworth family of Cley, Norfolk) is present on the front pastedown, and that of the Barton Library on the rear pastedown. The edges have been trimmed closely, with some losses, particularly to signatures and catchwords.

Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) copy G.176.40 bound in 19th-century blue morocco panelled in gilt. The armorial bookplate of the Barton Library is present on the front pastedown. The autograph of Frances Wolfreston is present on A2 recto, along with a short inscription in her hand reading, "a very prity mery one of a [́Œ?] begar found by a lord who persuaded him he was a lord, and this play was playd befor his new lordship". Present on the verso of I4 is an additional early inscription. This copy measures 21 cm with margins substantially larger than those of G.176.39. Many page edges are untrimmed. The head of the title page in this copy has been repaired.