Nicholas Udall

Roister Doister Nicholas Udall

Book Excerpt: ...ev. T. Briggs, an old Etonian, in 1818, became the possessor of the now famous unique copy: which he presented to the Library of Eton College, in December of that year.1. [?1566.] Lond. 1 vol. 4to.? First edition of a revised text. The copy, now at Eton College, consists of 33 folios. The title-page is wanting.2. 1818. Lond. 1 vol. 8vo.'Ralph Royster Doyster, A Comedy. London. Reprinted in the year 1818.' [Ed. and privately printed by Rev. T. Briggs. 30 copies only struck off. The printer was James Compton, Middle St., Cloth Fair, London.] At the beginning is the following Advertisement: --'It appears from the Biographia Dramatica, that a Play called Rauf Ruster Duster was entered on the books of the Stationers' Company in the year 1566, but that it was supposed never to have been printed: this, however, is now proved to be a mistake, a copy having been found contained in a collection of plays which was lately upon sale in London. It is true th...