Thomas Heywood, 1617

HEYWOOD, Thomas (c. 1574–164). A Woman Kilde of Kindnesse. London: Isaac Jaggard, 1617.

Earliest attainable edition. "Third edition" on the title-page; the first edition exists in only one copy now held by the British Library, and no second edition is known to have been produced. Heywood's play was first performed in 1603 and is considered Heywood's finest work. "The play is one of the most successful examples of English domestic tragedy" (The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature). Prolific printer of Restoration drama Isaac Jaggard is best remembered for his role in producing Shakespeare's First Folio. Greg, English Printed Drama, 258b.

Octavo (187 × 140 mm). Woodcut device on title-page and 5 woodcut head- and tailpieces (neat repair to title-page and prologue, occasional small tears and stains). Modern half calf (spine labels chipped).