Rules and directions to be observed in printing-houses. With an introduction by D. Wyn Evans.

4to.

Quarter beige cloth, marbled paper on boards, titled spine. Nice copy.

Edition limited to 200 copies (n. 14) designed by Thomas Rae. Text hand-set in 14 pt Caslon Old Face type on Velin Arches. Headpieces and other ornaments have been reproduced from those used in Watson's "The history of the art of printing" (1713). The woodcut on the title was used by Samuel Palmer on his titles in the 1720s. This pamphlet was thus originally printed as a broadside by the press of James Watson in 1721. Watson (166?-1722), an important Edinburgh printer, probably wrote or edited it himself. There are rules for apprentices, for compositors, and for pressmen, with a listing of the fines or other penalties to be incurred for infractions. According to the introductory essay, Watson was involved in what might be called a labour dispute over wages with some of his printers at the time of the appearance of this broadside, suggesting that the timing of this publication was not a complete coincidence.
Joined: Pratley, Harry - A bookseller remembers. Silverstead, Westerham, Kent, Hurtwood Press Limited, 1990. 8vo. Publ. cloth, dust wrappers. A brief biography of Harry Pratley, one of the most loved and highly regarded booksellers of his time serving as President of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association from 1959-1960. (2 vol.)