![[KYD, Thomas (1558-1594)]. The Spanish Tragedy: or, Hieronimo is Mad Againe. London: Augustine Mathewes for Francis Grove, 1633.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/CKS/2006_CKS_07275_0087_000(010411).jpg?w=1)
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[KYD, Thomas (1558-1594)]. The Spanish Tragedy: or, Hieronimo is Mad Againe. London: Augustine Mathewes for Francis Grove, 1633.
4° (176 x 124mm). Title-page woodcut. (Quire I supplied from another copy and with running-title cropped away, other quires clipped at upper corner, title a little spotted and with trace of old wrapper at lower corner, some light spotting of text, old sewing marks.) 19th-century ribbed cloth, front cover with contemporary printed label 'Warrington Museum and Library, L' (spine worn). Provenance: H. Claxton (erased inscription on title).
Tenth extant edition. Authorship of this celebrated revenge tragedy is only attributed to Kyd on the basis of a chance reference in Thomas Heywood's Apology for Actors of 1612. The play was probably first performed in 1589, having Spain's defeat of Portugal at the 1580 battle of Alcantara as its backdrop. However, its known history only begins in 1592 with Henslowe's record of frequent performances, and with license to print being granted in that year. In September 1601 and June 1602 Henslowe paid Ben Jonson for additions to Jeronimo, possibly in consequence of Shakespeare's closely-related Hamlet and several other revenge plays by rival companies. In 1602 an edition appeared with 'new additions' developing certain impassioned parts, though it is unclear whether the additions are, indeed, by Jonson. Undoubtedly due to the extraordinary vogue enjoyed by the play, most editions survive in very few copies while the first impression is believed lost. The dramatic woodcut on the present title-page was first used in the edition of 1615. Greg I, 110(j); Lowndes II, p. 1292; STC 15094.
4° (176 x 124mm). Title-page woodcut. (Quire I supplied from another copy and with running-title cropped away, other quires clipped at upper corner, title a little spotted and with trace of old wrapper at lower corner, some light spotting of text, old sewing marks.) 19th-century ribbed cloth, front cover with contemporary printed label 'Warrington Museum and Library, L' (spine worn). Provenance: H. Claxton (erased inscription on title).
Tenth extant edition. Authorship of this celebrated revenge tragedy is only attributed to Kyd on the basis of a chance reference in Thomas Heywood's Apology for Actors of 1612. The play was probably first performed in 1589, having Spain's defeat of Portugal at the 1580 battle of Alcantara as its backdrop. However, its known history only begins in 1592 with Henslowe's record of frequent performances, and with license to print being granted in that year. In September 1601 and June 1602 Henslowe paid Ben Jonson for additions to Jeronimo, possibly in consequence of Shakespeare's closely-related Hamlet and several other revenge plays by rival companies. In 1602 an edition appeared with 'new additions' developing certain impassioned parts, though it is unclear whether the additions are, indeed, by Jonson. Undoubtedly due to the extraordinary vogue enjoyed by the play, most editions survive in very few copies while the first impression is believed lost. The dramatic woodcut on the present title-page was first used in the edition of 1615. Greg I, 110(j); Lowndes II, p. 1292; STC 15094.
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Please note that the supplied quire I is from the 1623 edition.