Title: The Tragicall History of D. Faustus
Artist: Christopher Marlowe

The earliest documented performance of Christopher Marlowe?s Dr Faustus was given by the Earl of Nottingham?s company, the Lord Admiral?s Men, a year after Marlowe?s death in 1593. It remained a part of their repertoire until 1597. The earliest edition of the play to have survived was printed in 1604. This is the only known copy. It came to the Bodleian as part of the collection of the Shakespeare scholar Edmond Malone, who was the first person to appreciate the textual importance of these fragile books and therefore the first person to collect them. He has made some notes opposite the title page.

Arch. A e.125, title-page