The Printing Office: Its Activities, Furnishings, and Articles for Sale

Mary Goodwin

1958

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 238
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library

Williamsburg, Virginia

1990

THE PRINTING OFFICE ITS ACTIVITIES, FURNISHINGS, AND ARTICLES FOR SALE

Copies to:
Mr. Alexander, Interpretation
Mr. Graham, Curator
Mr. Geiger, Presentation
Mr. Harbour, Presentation
Report by Mary R. M. Goodwin

March 20, 1958

THE PRINTING OFFICE
CONTENTS

Pages
(1) PRINTING & PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES [on Lot #48]2 - 7
A. The Public Printer (1730-1766)page 2
B. The Virginia Gazette (1736-1780)" 2-3
C. Blank Forms (ca. 1730-1766 &c.)" 3
D. "Almanacks" (ca. 1737-1780)" 4
E. Tickets, Handbills, etc." 4
F. Books & Pamphlets published by printers" 4-7
[Not a complete list of titles.]
(2) BOOKBINDING7 - 9
(3) BOOKSELLER'S SHOP9 - 29
A. "Bought Books" sold at Printing-Officepages 10-21
B. Prints sold at Printing-Office22-25
C. Stationery Supplies sold at Printing Office25-29
(4) POST-OFFICE kept in Printing-Office29 - 33
(5) PRINTING-OFFICE EQUIPMENT34 -37

THE PRINTING OFFICE
ITS ACTIVITIES, FURNISHINGS, AND ARTICLES FOR SALE

In 1730 William Parks, printer and publisher at Annapolis, Maryland, opened a printing-office at a "House near the Capitol," in Williamsburg. He purchased the equipment for his Williamsburg business in England. Unfortunately, no inventory listing the equipment or furnishings in Parks' printing-office bas been found. We only know that, on the basis of its estimated value at the time of Parks' death (1750), his office is said to have been "one of the larger and more adequately equipped establishments of the period."1

Parks' first location "near the Capitol" has not been identified. Whether colonial lot #48 (the site of the present reconstructed printing-office) would have been considered near enough to the Capitol to warrant such a description we do not know. However, we do know that by 1746 Parks was established on lot #48. He carried on his printing business there until his death in 1750, and his activities were continued by successors2 on the site until April, 1780.

These activities included: (1) Printing and Publishing; (2) Book-binding; (3) a "Bookseller's Shop" where Williamsburg publications and imported books and stationery-supplies were sold; and (4) a Post-Office, for incoming and outgoing 2 postal-riders.1

Under the headings listed on the preceding page, some of the activities at the printing-office (as carried on by Parks and his successors) will be described, in an attempt to indicate necessary furnishings and equipment. Some of the items printed and sold, or purchased and sold, at the printing-office will be listed.

(1) PRINTING & PUBLISHING

A. Public Printer:

As public printers for the Virginia Colony, William Parks and his successors, William Hunter and Joseph Royle, printed the Journals for each session of General Assembly, the acts and laws passed by each Assembly, various speeches of the governors and of the speakers of the House of Burgesses, and other items concerned with the "public business." They also printed from time to time collections of all the Acts of Assembly in force: i.e. 1733 (Parks) 1752 (Hunter), and 1769 (Purdie & Dixon with William Rind—then public printer).

B. The Virginia Gazette:

In 1736 William Parks established The Virginia Gazette, the first newspaper in Virginia—a weekly publication which contained foreign and domestic news, articles, poems, and letters to the editors, a Williamsburg "column" (or portion of a column), shipping news, and numerous paid advertisements. The paper was continued, with brief interruptions, by Parks' successors on the site—an income being derived from the paid advertisements, and from subscriptions, which from 1736­1766 were at a rate of 15 shillings per annum, and from 1766­1776 at 12 shillings 6 pence per annum.2 A day-book kept by William Hunter (1750-1752) noted the following expenses3 for 3 printing the Gazette for 1751:

To Paper:
For 104 Reams @ 13/£67:12:--
outside Paper5:--:00£72:12:--
To Printing:
For Composing 52 Sheets @ 21/3£55:--:00
Press Work13:17: 4
Wear & Tear10:--:--78:17: 4
To Binding:
For making up20:--:--20:--:--
[£]171: 9: 4

C: Blanks:

Assorted blanks for use by colonial officials, the General Court, the county courts, for legal transactions, etc. were printed at this office. In 1751, for example, expenses for printing some of these blanks were noted in a day-book kept at the printing office as £5:010 for Paper and £5:0:0 for Printing.1 Such blanks included the following, which were usually sold by the quire2:

Bills of Loadingper quire4/ [shillings]
Bills of Exchange" "3/
Bonds, single & double" "3/
Administrator's bonds" "3/
Executor's bonds" "3/
Indentures - per pair-- ---- ---- 8 pence
Leases and Releasesper quire4/
Manifests (16 sheets at three pence)4/
Petitionsper quire3/
Promissory Notes" "3/
Sheriffs' Bail Bonds" "3/
Subpoenas" "3/
Summons" "3/
Warrants" "3/
Writs" "3/
Charges against the Clerk of the Council were entered in the day-book for 50 inspectors' bonds, 50 inspectors' commissions, 50 sheriffs' commissions, at 10/10 for each lot of 50 in 1750, and 13/ for each lot of 50 in 1752. Also charged against the Clerk of Council was the printing of 100 Military Commissions — at the rate of 13/ per hundred in 1750, and £1:1:8 in 1751.3

A professor at the College was charged with the printing of 50 Surveyor's Commissions (13/) in 1752—the College of William and Mary having the right to grant these commissions to the county surveyors.4

4

D: "Almanacks":

were published each year by the printers at this printing-office. In 1751 the expenses for printing the almanacks were listed in the Hunter Day-book:

To Paper£5:0: 0
To Printing:
For Composing26/
Press Work42/8
Wear and Tear11/44:0: 0
To the Copy5:0: 0£14:0: 0
1
These almanacs sold for 7-½ pence each, or 5 shillings a dozen, stitched; for 1 shilling each in marble paper; and for 2 shillings 6 pence bound in leather. By 1777 the price had increased to 1 shilling each or 8 shillings a dozen, stitched; and by October, 1780, to £3 each or £24 a dozen.2

E. Tickets, handbills,

and other miscellaneous items of which the following are examples:

100 Tickets [to a Ball at Finnie's]10/103
For the President's Hue & Cry10/104
To Printing 400 Advertisements13/--5
For 500 Advertisements for Tate's Cargoe13/--6

F: Books and Pamphlets published7 and sold at the Printing Office

Note: These consisted of a few items each a year: occasional collections of poems, letters to the clergy, pamphlets on political issues, and reprints of London pamphlets and books. The bulk of the printing done at the office is described in categories A through D above. A tentative list of imprints published at the three printing-offices in Williamsburg has been prepared, and is in the Research Department archives. Titles published at the printing-office on lot 48 included the following:

  • J. Markland, TYPOGRAPHIA. AN ODE, ON PRINTING. Williamsburg: Wm. Parks, 1730 (16 pages). 5
  • THE VIRGINIA MISCELLANY, CONSISTING OF NEW POEMS, ESSAYS AND TRANSLATION ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. By Some Gentlemen of the Country. Williamsburg: William Parks, 1731. [No copy located.]
  • A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THOMAS SWEET-SCENTED, WILLIAM ORONOCO, PLANTERS… Williamsburg: William Parks, 1732. (20 pages. Price 8-pence).
  • [John Tennant], EVERY MAN HIS OWN DOCTOR; OR, THE POOR PLANTER'S PHYSICIAN… Williamsburg: William Parks, 1734 and 1736. (1736 ed. 69 pages. Price stitched 1 shilling). Wm. Hunter, 1751.
  • POEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS…BY A GENTLEMAN OF VIRGINIA. Williamsburg: William Parks, 1736. (30 pages. Price 15-pence).
  • George Webb [of New Kent Co., Va.], THE OFFICE AND AUTHORITY OF A JUSTICE OF PEACE… Williamsburg: William Parks, 1736. (378 pages. Price 10 shillings).
  • THE CHARTER AND STATUTES OF THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY, IN VIRGINIA. IN LATIN AND ENGLISH. Williamsburg: William Parks, 1736 (124 pages).
  • John Mercer, AN EXACT ABRIDGEMENT OF ALL THE PUBLIC ACTS OF ASSEMBLY, OF VIRGINIA, IN FORCE AND USE… Williamsburg: William Parks, 1737. (476 pages).
  • William Burdon, THE GENTLEMAN'S POCKET-FARRIER… (London printed) Williamsburg reprinted: Wm. Parks, 1738. "Price stitch'd Two Bits, Bound Three Bits."
  • John Lewis, THE CHURCH AT CATECHISM EXPLAIN'D… (London printed) Williamsburg reprinted: Wm. Parks, 1738. Price stich'd 1 shilling.
  • THE MANUAL EXERCISE: TEACHING THE MILITARY EXERCISE OF THE FIRELOCK, 2nd ed. Williamsburg: Wm. Parks, 1739. Price 7-½ pence.
  • John Hayward, THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD… [London — 20th edition probably reprinted in Williamsburg ca. 1739 No copy located.] 6
  • Edmund Gibson [Bishop of London], FAMILY-DEVOTIONS… Williamsburg: William Parks, 1740. (56 pages).
  • Edmund Gibson, THE SACREMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER EXPLAIN'D… Williamsburg, William Parks, 1740. (128 pages. 2s. 6d.)
  • Edmumd Gibson, THE HOLY DAYS OR THE FEASTS AND FASTS… Williamsburg: William Parks, 1740. (48 pages).
  • E. Smith, THE COMPLEAT HOUSEWIFE: OR, ACCOMPLISHED GENTLEWOMAN'S COMPANION… [from 5th London edition] Williamsburg: William Parks, 1742. (228 pages). 6th London edition reprinted by William Hunter, 1752.
  • Robert Biscoe, THE MERCHANT'S MAGAZINE: OR, FACTOR'S GUIDE… Williamsburg: William Parks, 1743. (276 pages).
  • William Sherlock [Dean of St. Paul's, London], A PRACTICAL DISCOURSE CONCERNING DEATH. [London printed] Reprinted 20th edition. Williamsburg: William Parks, 1744. (310 pages).
  • [Richard Allestree], THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN…Reprinted Williamsburg: William Parks, 1746. (408 pages).
  • William Stith, THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT OF VIRGINIA… Williamsburg: William Parks, 1747. (340 pages). Subscriptions taken for history in 1745 (Va. Gaz. Mar. 21, 1745).
  • Jonathan Swift, THREE SERMONS… [Printed in Dublin] Reprinted Williamsburg: William Parks, 1747. (39 pages).
  • John Thomson [of Amelia Co.], AN EXPLICATION OF THE SHORTER CATECHISM… Williamsburg: William Parks, 1749. (204 pages).
  • William Sherlock, A LETTER FROM THE LORD BISHOP OF LONDON… [London printed Williamsburg reprinted by Wm. Hinter, 1750. (20 pages).
  • Samuel Davies [of Hanover Co., Va.], MISCELLANEOUS POEMS, CHIEFLY ON DIVINE SUBJECTS. IN TWO BOOKS. Williamsburg: Wm. Hunter, 1751.

Note: In Hunter's Ms. Day-book there are listed the following expenses for publishing Davies' Poems:1

To Paper: for 18 Rms @15/£13:10:--
To Printing:
For Composing 9-½ Sheets£7: 2:6
Press Work @ 5/4 pr Sheet2:10:8
Wear and Tear3: -: -12:13:2
To Binding7:10:-
£33:13: 2

7
  • George Washington, THE JOURNAL OF MAJOR GEORGE WASHINGTON, SENT BY THE HON. ROBERT DINWIDDIE… TO THE COMMANDANT OF THE FRENCH FORCES ON OHIO. Williamsburg: Wm. Hunter, 1754. (28 pages).
  • THE CHARTER, TRANSFER AND STATUTES, OF THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY, IN VIRGINIA. IN LATIN AND ENGLISH. Williamsburg: William Hunter, 1758.
  • [Several pamphlets by Richard Bland, John Camm, Landon Carter, published by Joseph Royle in 1759-65.]
  • Richard Bland, AN INQUIRY INTO THE RIGHTS OF THE BRITISH COLONIES… Williamsburg: Alex. Purdie & Co., 1766. (31 pages).
  • David Bostwick, A FAIR OR RATIONAL VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF INFANTS TO THE ORDINANCE. Williamsburg: Purdie & Dixon, 1773. (24 pages).
  • James M'Clurg, AN EXPERIMENTAL TREATISE ON THE HUMAN BILE… Williamsburg: Purdie & Dixon, 1773.
  • Richard Starke, THE OFFICE AND AUTHORITY OF A JUSTICE OF PEACE EXPLAINED AND DIGESTED… Williamsburg: Purdie & Dixon, 1774. (353 pages).
  • Nathaniel Tucker, THE BERMUDIAN. Williamsburg: Purdie & Dixon, 1774. (15 pages).
  • EXTRACTS FROM THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN CONTINENTAL CONGRESS… 5th of September, 1774. Williamsburg: Purdie & Dixon, 1774. (48 pages).
  • Edward Harvey, A NEW MANUAL AND PLATOON EXERCISE… Williamsburg: Dixon & Hunter, 1775. (12 pages).
  • THE FREEMAN'S REMONSTRANCE AGAINST AN ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENT:… Williamsburg: Dixon & Hunter, 1777. (13 pages).

(2) BOOKBINDING:

A bookbinder was working at the printing office some years before Parks began publication of the Virginia Gazette, in which he advertised that his office did bookbinding "reasonably, in the best Manner."1

Besides binding the books which were published at the printing­office, the binder was responsible for stitching the almanacs and pamphlets which were printed there; for "making up" the Gazettes; and for binding to order books, pamphlets, magazines etc. which were brought to him by customers. In 1751/1752 the binder charged 1 shilling for binding a pamphlet, for binding a book 1 shilling 3-pence to 2-shilling 6-pence, and for special bindings as follows: 8

For binding & Lettering the 20th Vol Univ: Hist:1[£] -: 2: 6
To Binding a Prayer Book in Turkey gilt2-: 5:--
To Binding 2 Vols. Pines Horace — Turkey3-:15:--
To Binding the old Laws4-: 8:--
To binding an 8vo Prayer Book — gilt Edges5-: 4: 6
To Binding a large Church Bible6-:13:--

The bookbinder made up, bound, and sold all kinds of blank­books, journals, and ledgers (ruled and unruled). and made and sold "Alphabets." He also made and sold pocket-books, pocket-cases, and letter-cases. Typical charges7 for the above items in 1750­1752 were:

For an Alphabet-: 2:--
For 1 small Blank Book (June 21/51)-: 5:--
For a 4to Blank Book bd in rough Calf (Aug 29/51)-: 9: 6
For a blank Book Demy bound in Vellum (June 9/52)1: 1:--
For a Cypering Book (May 10/51)-: 3: 9
For a Day-Book (June 8/51)-: 8:--
For a Day-Book in rough Calf (June 14/51)-:18:--
For a large Journal (June 12/51)1: 6:--
For 1 Journal bound in Vellum (June 9/52)1: 4:--
For 1 Leger bound in Calf (June 9/52)1: 4:--
For a Leger double rul'd (June 13/51)2: 4:--
For a Leger 5 Qr Demy rul'd (June 21/51)1:15:--
For a Leger of best Imperial double rul'd (June 2/51)3: 5:--
For a large Leger of Royall dble Rul'd2:12:--
For a Record Book-:17:--
For a large Record Book Imperial (Jul. 30/51)3:10:--
For a large Record Book Imperial (Aug. 21, 1751)4:10:--
For a Pocket Book (May 25 & 26/52)-: 3: 9
For 1 Calf Pocket Book (March 10/52)-: 3: 9
For a Turkey Pocket Book (March 10/52)-: 5: 9
For a Pocket Case (March 20/52)-: 3: 9
For a Letter Case (Apr. 8/52)-: 2: 6
For a Letter Case (Apr. 22/52)-: 3: 9
For a Turkey Letter Case (Apr. 8/52)-: 5: 9
9
For a Letter Case with his Name (Apr. 24/52)-: 6: 4-½
1

Bookbinding supplies were entered in day-books kept at the Printing Office. William Hunter purchased from the estate of one Robert Stevenson in August, 1750 "a Servant Lad, Paul, and Sundry Bookbinding Tools" for £17:5:3.2 Such items as skins, sheets of pasteboard, Brazil Wood, and glue were also sold by the bookbinder on occasion.3 Typical of supplies purchased from England were the following accounts:

20 Doz:Calf Skins£27: 0: 0
20 Doz:Sheep Skins15:10:0£42:10:--
60 pr Cn Advance25:10:--
£68:-:--
4
In 1752 Sundry Accounts to Binding:
For 1000 Wt Pasteboard for Folios£ 8:--:­-
500 Do for octavos4:--:--
40 Doz. Calf Skins @ 25/ 50:--:--
20 Doz. Sheep @16/16:--:--
3 Doz. Books Gold Leaf2:14:­-
2 Doz. red Bazil Skins1: 4:--
60 pr Ct Advance49: 2: 9-½
131: 0: 9-½
5

As in the case of printing equipment, no inventory for binder's tools and equipment in the printing-office on lot #48 has survived.6

(3) BOOKSELLER'S SHOP

A. BOUGHT BOOKS

In 1742 the Journals of the Faculty of the College of William and Mary noted the fact that William Parks intended "to Open a Booksellers Shop in this Town," the faculty agreeing that he should furnish the students "with Such Books at a reasonable price as the Masters Shall direct him to send for."7 By 1745 Parks had imported 10 and was selling "a considerable Quantity and great Variety of Books, on Divinity, History, Physick, Philosophy, Mathematicks, School-Books, in Latin and Greek, among which are some very neat Classicks." Also imported were a "large Quantity of large Church and Family Bibles and Common Prayer Books, Sermons, Plays, &c. too tedious to Mention."1

When William Hunter purchased Parks' business in 1751, he took over the stock of books, Bibles, etc.; and Hunter and his successors on the site continued to purchase books and Bibles from England. In his day-book, Hunter entered the sales of all imported books, except Bibles and Prayer Books, under "Bought Books." Bibles and Prayer Books were entered in a separate account headed "Bibles &c." These two categories constituted the largest income at the printing-office.

From Hunter's account of the sale of "Bibles &c",3 the following are typical examples in 1750-52:

To 1 small Bible (Jun. 12/51)[£] -: 6: 6
To 1 Bible (Mar. 3/52)- : 6:--
For 1 Quarto Bibl (Aug. 31/50)1: 1: 8
For 1 Quarto Bible (Sep. 12/50)1:10:--
To 1 Folio Bible (Apr. 7/52)3:--:--
For a large Folio Bible (Oct. 31/50)4:10:--
To a Prayer Book (Mar. 3/52)-: 3: 6
For 1 Com. Prayer Book (Sept. 12/50)-: 6: 6
For 2 large Prayer Books (Oct. 31/50)-:18:--
For 1 Common Prayer Book — Turkey (Sep. 26/50)-: 7:--
For 1 large gilt Prayer Book neatly bd in T. (Aug. 27/50)-:13:--
For 1 Gilt Prayer Book — Turkey (Oct. 16/50)-: 9:--

Most of the following books, which were sold in Hunter's printing-office in the years 1750-1752, were imported in those years from either S. Birt or T. Waller, London publishers and booksellers.4 A few were supplied by Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia. We list the books as they are noted in Hunter's day-book — without attempting 11 to complete the titles or authors' names.1 This list is followed by a photostat of all advertisement of books "JUST IMPORTED" by Hunter, and for sale at his printing-office, which appeared in The Virginia Gazette for May 24, 1751.2

A
ACADEMY OF COMPLIMENTS (Feb. 8/52)[£] -: 1: 3
ACCOUNT OF DENMARK (June 24 & Sept. 10/51)-: 3: 6
ACCOUNT OF E. ROCHESTER (Sept. 18/51)-: 3: 6
ADAMS'S SOPHOCLES (Jun. 5/51)-:10: 6
ADDISON'S WORKS 4 vols. (June. 20/52)1:--:--
AESOP'S FABLES @ 1/ (Aug. 9/51) (3 copies)-: 3:--
AESOPS FABLES (Mar. 7/52)-: 1: 6
CLARKE'S AESOP (Apr. 7/52)-: 2:--
AESOP (Mar. 16 & Mar. 19/52)-: 2: 6
AINSWORTH'S DICTIONARY (May 30/52)2: 3: 4
ALITHEA (Feb. 5/52)-: 6:--
AMELIA [Fielding] 4 vols. (May 28 & Jun. 11/52)1:--:-- to 1: 1: 8
AMUSEMENTS OF THE SPA 2 vols. (Feb. 5/52)-: 9:--
ANACREAON (Barnes') (May 13/51)-: 5: 6
ANSON'S VOYAGES (Jun. 19 & 29/52)-:11:--
ARISTOTLE'S ART OF POETRY (Apr. 18/52)-: 2: 6
ARITHMETICK (Hill's) (Jun. 25/52)-: 9:--
ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH (Jun. 18 & Aug. 8/51)-: 2:-- to -: 2: 6
ASTRONOMY see LEADBETTER'S ASTRONOMY, MORDEN'S ASTRONOMY
ASTRUE ON FEVERS (Sept. 24/52)-: 7:--
ATTORNEY'S POCKET COMPANION (Aug. 25/50 & Jul. 20/51)-: 7: 6
B
BACON'S ABRIDGEMENT (Apr. 29/51)6:--:--
BARNES' ANACREON (May 13/51)-: 5: 6
BETSY THOUGHTLESS 4 vols. (May 28/52)1: 1: 8
BLADEN'S CAESAR (Jun. 20/52)-:11:--
BOERHAVE'S CHYMISTRY 2 vols. (May 28/52)2:13:--
BOOKKEEPING (Malcom's) (May 29/51)-: 7: 6
BOOKS OF AMUSEMENT 8 vols. (Jun. 11/52)2: 2:--
BOWDEN'S POEMS (Jul. 12/51)-: 9:--
BOYER'S DICTIONARY (Jun. 9/52)-:12:--
BOYER'S GRAMMAR (Jun. 9 & Jun. 11/52)-: 5:--
BUILDER'S JEWEL (Jun. 11/52)-: 9:--
C
CAESAR (Bladen's) (Jun. 20/52)-:11:--
CAESAR'S COMMENTARIES DELPH (Jun. 12/51)-: 5:--
12
CASES IN CHANCERY (May 15/52)[£] 1: 2: 6
CATO'S LETTERS 4 vols. (May 30/52)-:17: 6
CAVE'S PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY (Jun. 22/51)-: 7:--
CHAMBERS'S DICTIONARY 2 vols. (Jul. 8/51)6: 6:--
CHAMBERLAYNE'S MIDWIFERY (Jun. 28/52)-:10:--
CHANCERY PRACTISER (Jul. 4/51)-: 5:--
CHAPMAN'S BOOKS (Jun. 3/51; Feb. 5/52; May 6/52)-: 1: 3
CHRISTIAN SCHOOLMASTER (Dec. 3/51)-: 1: 6
CICERONIS ORATIONS (May 6/51)-: 5: 6
CICERO'S ORAT. (May 30/52)-: 9: 6
CLARISSA HARLOW (Richardson) (Jan. 29/52) 8 vols.2:--:--
CLARKE'S AESOP see AESOP'S FABLES
CLARKE'S EXERCISES (Feb. 27/52)-: 3:--
CLARKE'S GRAMMAR (Feb. 12/52)-: 3:--
CLARKE'S INTRODUCTION (Jul. 6/51)-: 3:--
CLARKE'S LUCTONIUS (Aug. 17/51)-:10:--
CLARKE'S OVID (Aug. 20/51)-: 4:--
CLAVIS HOMERICA (Aug. 3/51)-: 2:--
CLEOPATRA (Aug. 9/51) 8 vols.
COCKER'S ARITHMETICK (Jun. 16/51)-: 2: 6
COCKMAN'S TULLY (May 9/52)-: 6:--
COKE UPON LITTLETON (Oct. 15/51)-:18:--
COMPLEAT HOUSEWIFE (E. Smith) (Apr. 30, Jul. 27, Dec. 11/51; Apr. 23, Jun. 27/52)-: 4:--
[Note: Parks printed an edition of this work in 1742 and Hunter in 1752, but the above were evidently the London editions.]
COMPLEAT GENTLEMAN (Jul. 12/51)-: 6:--
CONGREVE'S LIFE (Aug. 7/50)-: 1: 3
CONVICTS LIVES 3 vols. (Jul. 20/51)-:15:--
CORNELIUS NEPOS. (May 29/52)-: 5:--
COTTON'S WORKS (Jun. 26/52)-: 5: 9
CUMBERBACK'S REPORTS (May 15/52)-:14:--
D
DANVERS'S ABRIDGEMENT 2 vols. (Oct. 12/50)1:15:--
D'ESTRADES LETTERS 2 vols. (Apr. 6/52)-:15:--
DEVIL ON CRUTCHES 2 vols. (Oct. 17 & 19/51)-: 8:--
DICTIONARIES: see AINSWORTH'S, BOYERS, CHAMBERS etc.
DICTIONARIUM RUSTICUM (Jun. 20/52)-:17: 6
DOCTOR AND STUDENT (Aug. 7/51)-: 2: 6
DODSLEY'S POEMS 3 vols. (May 30/52)-:16:--
DON QUIXOTE 4to 2 vols. neatly bound (Aug. 19/51)4:10:--
DUCK'S POEMS (Jun. 24/51)-: 6:--
DUTY OF A LAND STEWARD (Jun. 20/52)-: 9:--
DUTY OF MAN (Mar. 7/52 & Aug. 26/51)-: 4:--
DYCHE'S SPELLING BOOK (Feb. 26, Apr. 13, May 8/52)-: 1: 6
E
ECCLESIASTICAL ANTIQUITIES (Jul. 4/51)-: 6:--
ELLIS'S HUSBANDRY (Jun. 13/51)3:13: 6
ENQUIRY INTO THE LEARNING OF SHAKESPEARE (Dec. 16/51)-: 2: 6
ERASMI COLLOQ. (July 4/51)-: 2: 3
ERASMI OPERA (Aug. 20/51)-: 4:--
13
ESSAY ON MAN (Aug. 9/51; Mar. 20/52)[£] -: 2: 6
EUCLID (Cunn's) (Jun. 26/52)-:10: 6
EUCLID (Hill's) (Jul. 4/51)-: 5:--
EUTROPIUS (Jun. 27/51)-: 4:--
EVERY MAN HIS OWN LAWYER (Jun. 25/51)-: 8:--
F
FARNABY'S RHETORICK (Jun. 12/51)-: 1:--
FEMALE FABLES (Jun. 20/52)-: 9:--
FLORIES DELPH. (Jun. 24/51)-: 4: 6
FONTAINE'S FABLES (Oct. 2/50)-: 5:--
THE FOOL 2 vols. (Aug. 20/51; Mar. 5/52)-:10:--
G
GAY'S FABLES (Jun. 20/52)-:18:--
GENTLE SHEPHERD (Jun. 22/51)-: 1:--
GENTLEMAN INSTRUCTED (May 30/52)-:11:--
GENTLEMAN'S LIBRARY (Jun. 9/52)-: 6:--
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE 1 vol. bound (Feb. 5/52)-: 9:--
GEOGRAPHIA CLASSICA (May 1/51)-: 8:--
GEOGRAPHIA ANTIQUAE & NOVA CLASSICA (Jun. 20/51)-:17: 6
GIL BLAS 4 vols. (Jun. 7, Sept. 3 & 18/51)1: 1: 8
GORDON'S GRAMMAR (Jun. 9/52)-:10:--
GRAMMARS see BOYER'S, GORDON'S, LILLY'S
GRAECAE SENTENTENIAE (Jun. 20/52)-: 3:--
GRAND TOUR 4 vols. (May 28/52)1: 1: 8
GREEK SENTENCES (May 6/51; Oct. 16/51)-: 2:--
GREEK TESTAMENT (Leusden's) (Jul. 4/51)-: 1:--
GREEK TESTAMENT (Jun. 9/52)-: 5:--
GREEN'S PHILOSOPHY (Jun. 24/51)-: 5:--
GREENWOOD'S GRAMMAR (Apr. 8/52)-: 2: 5
GREGORY'S GEOMETRY (Jun. 5/51)-: 4:--
THE GUARDIAN 2 vols. (Jun. 22 & 28/51; Jun. 20/52)-: 9:-- to -:10:--
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS (Jul. 20/51)-: 5:--
H
HART'S SERMONS (May 11/51)-: 1: 3
HARRIS'S VOYAGES 2 vols. (Dec. 13/50; May 28/52)6: 6:-- to 6:10:--
HEDERICI LEXICON (June. 4/52)1: 6:--
HEISTER'S SURGERY (May 28/52)1:16: 9
HEREDITARY RIGHT (Jun. 18/51)-:--: 9
HERMAN'S LIFE (Feb. 5/52)-: 3:--
HERVEY'S CONTEMPLATIONS (Mar. 9/52)-:10:--*
HERVEY'S MEDITATIONS (Apr. 9/52)-: 7: 6
HILL'S ARITHMETICK (Jun. 25/52)-: 9:--
HILL'S EUCLID (Jul. 4/51)-: 5:--
HISTORICAL DICTIONARY 2 vols. (Feb. 1/51 & May 30/52)-: 9: 6 to -:10: 6
HISTORICAL DIETY 2 vols. (Jun. 27/51)-:10: 6
HISTORY OF BACON POLINITZ (Feb. 5/52)-: 5:--
HISTORY OF CHINA 4 vols. (Jun. 22/51)-:15:--
14
HISTORY OF THE COUNCIL OF TRENT (Jul. 4/51)[£] -: 7: 6
HISTORY OF THE COURT OF EXCHANGE (Apr. 29/51)-: 5:--
HISTORY OF DAVID 2 vols. (May 1/51)-:15:--
HISTORY OF DEDIMY ARCHER (Feb. 5/52)-: 2:--
HISTORY OF THE EMPIRE 2 vols. (Jun. 24/51)-:18:--
HISTORY OF FRANCE 2 vols. (Jun. 24/51)-: 9:--
HISTORY OF HUNGARY (Jun. 24/51)-: 4:--
HISTORY OF POLAND 2 vols. (Jun. 24/51)-:18:--
THE HIVE 4 vols. (Jun. 27/52)1:--:--
HOBART'S REPORTS (May 15/52)-:13:--
HOLT'S REPORTS (Oct. 12/50)2:--:--
HOMERICA (Clavis) (June. 4 & Aug. 3/51)-: 2:-- to -: 8:--
HOMER'S ILIAD 2 vols. (Jul. 12/51)-: 8:--
HOMER'S ILIAD 6 vols. (Pope's) (Jul. 4/51)-:18:--
HORACE (Jun. 27/51)-:12:--
HORACE DELPHINI (Jul. 1 & Aug. 17/51)-:12:--
HORACE (Pine's) (Jul. 4/51)1: 8:--
HOYLE ON CHESS (Aug. 3/51)-: 2:--
HOYLE'S GAMES (Jul. 4 & 17; Oct. 15/51)-: 2: 6 to -: 5:--
HUDIBRAS (Butler) (Jul. 20/51; Jun. 26/52)-: 5:--
HUDIBRAS (Gre's) 2 vols. (May 28/52)1: 5:--
I
IMPARTIAL LAWYER (Jun. 11/51)-: 4: 6
INDEPENDENT WHIG (May 30/52)1: 1: 8
J
JACOB'S LAW DICTIONARY (Oct. 15/51)-: 9:--
JEWISH SPY 5 vols. (Jun. 26/52)1: 6:--
JONES'S REPORTS (May 15/52)-:13:--
JUSTIN DELPHINI (Aug. 17, Sept. 9, Oct. 1/51; May 30/52)-: 7:-- to -:10:--
K
KENNETT'S ANTIQUITIES (May 30 & Jun. 29/52)-:10:--
KING'S HEATHEN GODS (Jun. 3/52)-: 3: 6
L
LAMBERT'S WORKS (Jun. 24/51)-: 5:--
LATIN PRAYER BOOK (Jun. 22/51)-: 3:--
LATIN TESTAMENT (May 2/51)-: 3: 6
LAWRENCE ON GARDENING (Jun. 20/52)-: 9:--
LAWS OF WHIST (Apr. 10/52)-: 2: 6
LEADBETTER'S ASTRONOMY 2 vols. (May 28, Jun. 26/52)-:17: 6
LEADBETTER'S MATHEMATICKS (Jun. 26/52)-: 5:--
LEMERY ON FOODS (Jul. 15/51)-: 5: 6
LEUSDEN'S GREEK TESTAMENT (Jul. 4/51)-: 1:--
LEXICONS see HEDERICI LEXICON
LIFE OF DAVID 2 vols. (Apr. 30/51)-:15:--
LIFE OF THE DUKE OF ARGYLE (May 30/52)-: 9:--
LIFE OF KING WILLIAM -: 5:--
LILLY'S GRAMMAR (Dec. 11, 12/51; Jan. 29, Apr. 4/52)-: 2: 6
LITTLETON'S DICTIONARY (Aug. 20, Oct. 14/51)1: 4:--
LIVES OF THE ADMIRALS (Jul. 22/51)-:11:--
LIVES OF THE CONVICTS 3 vols. (Sept. 10/51)-:15:--
LIVES OF EMINENT PERSONS 8 vols. (May 28/52)2: 5:--
LIVII HISTORIA (Elzever) (Mar. 4/52)-:10:--
D[itt]o in 6 vols. translated (Mar. 4/52)2:10:--
15
LIVY'S ROMAN HISTORY (Sept. 18/51)[£]2:10:--
LOCKE ON CHRISTIANITY (Jun. 18/51)-: 3:--
LOCKE'S ESSAYS (Sept. 28/51)-: 5:--
LOVE'S SURVEYING (June 17, 26, 29/52)-: 8:--
LUCTONIUS (Clarke's) (Aug. 17/51)-:10:--
M
MALCOLM'S BOOKKEEPING (May 29/51)-: 7: 6
MANNINGHAM'S FEBRICULA (Jun. 11/51)-: 3:--
MARINDA (Jun. 19/51)-: 3:--
MARRIAGE CEREMONIES (Jun. 22/51)-: 3: 6
MARTIAL IN USUM DELPHINI (Nov. 1/51)-:12:--
MARTIN'S VIRGIL 2 vols. (Jul. 4/51)-:12:--
MILTON'S PARADISE LOST (May 25, Sept. 19/51; Jun. 11/52)-: 4:-- to -: 6:--
MILTON'S PARADISE REGAINED (Jun. 11/52)-: 5: 9
MISSON'S VOYAGES 4 vols. (Aug. 3/51)1:16:--
MORDEN'S ASTRONOMY (Feb. 3/52)-: 5:--
MORERIS DICTIONARY 2 vols. (Jul. 4/51)1: 1:--
N
NELSON'S FESTIVALS (May 1/51)-: 8:--
NOBLEMAN'S RECREATION 3 vols. (Feb. 2/51)1: 8: 8
NIGHT THOUGHTS (Young's) (Jun. 9 & 11/52)-:10:--
O
ORPHAN (Sept. 18 & Oct. 29/51)-: 1:--
ORPHEUS 2 vols. (Aug. 13/50)-: 8:--
OVID (Clarke's) (Aug. 20 & Sept. 24/51)-: 6:-- to -: 8:--
OVIDII OPERA LAT. (Sept. 30/51)-: 5: 6
[Ditto] with English-: 4:--
OVID'S EPISTLES DELPH. (Jun. 24, Jul. 27/51)-: 4: 6 to -: 5:--
OVID'S METAMORPHISIS (Oct. 1/51; Mar. 16/52)-: 4:-- to -: 5: 6
P
PARADISE LOST (Milton) (May 25, Sept. 19/51; June 11 & 26/52)-: 4:-- to -: 6:--
PARADISE REGAIN'D (Jun. 11 & 26/52)-: 3: 9 to -: 5: 9
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 17 vols. (Jul. 8/51)6:17 6
PEARSON ON THE CREED (Jun. 15, Jul. 4/51)-: 6:-- to -:11: 3
PEMBERTON'S DISPENSATORY (May 28/52)-:10:--
PIGGOTTS SERMONS (Jul. 4/51)-: 4:--
PILWAY'S FABLES (Jun. 24/51)-: 4:--
PINE'S HORACE (Jul. 4/51)1: 8:--
PLANTER'S PHYSICIAN (Mar. 12, Jun. 15/52)-: 1:--
PLATO'S WORKS 2 vols. (Aug. 3/50)-: 8:--
PLAYS (Nov. 1/51 & Feb. 5/52)-: 1:--
PLINY'S LETTERS 2 vols.-:17: 6
POCKET FARRIER (Aug. 6, Sept. 7/51)-: 1: 3 to -: 2:--
POLITICAL ESSAYS (Mar. 5/52)-: 6:--
POPE'S AND LOCKE'S ESSAYS (Sept. 28/51)-: 5:--
POPE'S ESSAY ON MAN (May 8/51; Mar. 27/52)-: 2: 6
POPE'S HOMER'S ILIAD 6 vols. (Jul. 4/51)-:18:--
POPE'S WORKS 9 vols. (May 28/52)2: 7:--
16
PRACTICE OF PIETY (May 13, Aug. 23/51)[£] -: 9: 9
PRAECEPTOR (Dodsley's) 2 vols. (Sept. 3, 18/51)1: 1: 8
PRAECEPTOR stitch'd 2 vols. (Jul. 4/51)-:12: 6
PRESENT TO AN APPRENTICE (Jun. 28/51)-: 1: 3
PRIOR'S POEMS (May 30/52)-: 6: 6
PRIMMERS (May 5, Jun. 15, Aug. 9/51) @-: -: 5-½
PROSODIA CONSTRUED (Jul. 1/51)-: 1: 3
PSALTERS (Jun. 15, Aug. 9/51; Sept. 26/51)-: 1:-- to -: 1: 6
PUFFENDORF (Johnston's) (Jun. 9/52)-:11:--
PUFFENDORF'S INTRODUCTION 2 vols. (Jul. 12, 19/51)1:--:--
Q
QUINCEY'S DISPENSATORY-:13:--
R
RAMARINI'S DISEASES (Jul. 4/51)-: 3: 6
RAMSEY'S EVER GREEN 2 vols. (Feb. 22/51)-: 6:--
RAY ON CREATION (Jun. 26/52)-: 9:--
RELIGION OF NATURE DECLIN'D (Jun. 24/51)-: 7: 6
RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHER (Jun. 26/52)1: 7:--
ROCHESTER'S LIFE (Mar. 16/52)-: 3: 6
RODERICK RANDOM (Jun. 13 & 26/52)-:10: 6 to -:10:10
ROMAN HISTORY (Livy's) 6 vols. (Sept. 8/51)2:10:--
RUDDIMAN'S GRAMMAR (May 29/52)-: 5:--
RUDDIMAN'S RUDIMENTS (Apr. 24/51; May 29/52)-: 2:--
S
SALKELD'S REPORTS (Oct. 12/50)2: 8:--
SALLUST (Jul. 6/51)-: 3:--
SALLUST DELPHINI (Jun. 22/51; Jun. 19, 20/52)-: 5:-- to -: 9:--
SALLUST, NOTIS MINELLII (Jun. 28/51)-: 3:--
SALMON'S GAZETTEER (May 2, Jun. 5, 27/51)-: 5: 6
SALMON'S MODERN HISTORY 3 vols. (Jul. 4/51)3: 3:--
SALMON'S PALLADIO (Sept. 3, Dec. 14/51)-: 8:-- to -:10:--
SCHREVELII LEXICON (Jul. 20/51)-:10: 6
SENNECA'S MORALS (Mar. 6/52)-: 5: 6
SHAW'S BACON 3 vols. (Jul. 4/51)2: 2:--
SHAW'S BOERHAVE (Jun. 19/52)2:13:--
SHAW'S DISPENSATORY (May 28/52)-: 8: 6
SHARP'S CRITICAL ENQUIRY (May 28/52)-: 8: 6
SHERLOCK ON JUDGMENT (Jun. 24/51)-: 7:--
SIMPSON'S ALGEBRA (Jun. 9/52)-:10:--
SNAPE'S SERMONS (Jun. 29/52)1: 6:--
SNAPE'S WORKS 3 vols. (Sept. 1/50)1: 1: 8
SOPHOCLES (Adams's) (Jun. 5, Oct. 6/51)-:10: 6
SPECTATOR 8 vols. (Feb. 14, Oct. 1/51; May 30, Jun. 20/52)1: 6:-- to 1:12: 6
SPECTATOR 9 vols. (Jun. 17/52)1:1: 6
SPELLING BOOK (Feb. 1/52) [see also DYCHE]-: 1: 6
SPINCKE'S DEVOTIONS (Jun. 14, 15; Oct. 10/51)-: 5: 6
STANHOPE'S EPISTLES & GOSPELS (May 1/51)1:16:--
STANHOPE ON SALVATION (May 1/51)-: 5:--
STATE TRIALS abridg'd (Jun. 27; Jul. 22/51)1:15:--
STEEL'S POEMS (Feb. 2/52)-: 4: 6
SURVEYING (Love's) (Jun. 4/52)-: 8:--
17
SURVEYING (Wilson's) (Jun. 17 & 26/52)[£] -:12:--
SWIFT'S POETICAL WORKS (Jul. 4/51)-: 3: 9
SWINBURNE ON WILLS (Jul. 4/51)-: 2:--
T
TALE OF A TUB* (Jun. 12/51; Jun. 9 & 11/52)-: 4:-- to -: 5:--
TATLER 4 vols. (Jun. 22 & 28/51; Jun. 20/52)-:17: 6 to -:18:--
TELEMACUS 2 vols. (Jun. 29/52) -:10: 6
TELLIAMED (Feb. 5/52)-: 7:--
TEMPLE, SIR WILLIAM — WORKS 2 vols. (Jun. 6/51)2:12:--
TENNANT'S EPISTLE (Mar. 27/52)-: 2: 6
TENNANT'S ESSAYS (Feb. 15; Mar. 27/52)-: -: 7-½
TERENCE (Jun. 12 & 27/51)-: 4: 6
TESTAMENTS [see also under BIBLES &c.]-: 1:--
THOMPSON'S SEASONS (Feb. 10/52)-: 6:--
TOM BROWN'S WORKS (Jun. 26/52)1: 1: 8
TOM JONES 4 vols. (Dec. 6/51)1:--:--
TOUR THRO GREAT BRITAIN (Jun. 12/51)1:--:--
TRAVELS OF CYRUS 2 vols. (Jun. 29/52)-:17: 6
TREMAYNE'S PLEAS OF THE CROWN (May 15/52)-:13:--
TULLY (Cockman's) (May 9/52)-: 6:--
TULLY'S OFFICES (Jun. 24/51)-: 3:--
TURKISH SPY 8 vols. (Jun. 26/52)1:15:--
U
UNCERTAINTY OF THE ROM: HISTORY (Jun. 24/51)-: 4:--
UNFORTUNATE NOBLEMAN 3 vols. (Sept. 18/51)-:13:--
V
VANBURGH'S PLAYS (Jun. 19/51)-:11:--
VARINCUS'S GEOGRAPHY (Jun. 20/52)1: 1: 8
VERNON'S CASES (Jul. 4/51)2:12: 6
VIRGIL (Dryden's) (Jun. 11/52)1:--:--
VIRGIL (Martin's) 2 vols. (Jul. 4/51)-:12:--
VIRGILII OPERA (May 6/51)-: 4:--
VIRGILII OPERA IN USUM DELPHINI (Jul. 4/51)-:10:--
W
WALLER'S POEMS (May 30/52)-: 6: 6
WALLIS'S LOGICK (Jun. 9/52)-: 7:--
WARREN ON YELLOW FEVER (May 28/52)-: 2:--
WATT'S HYMNS (Jul. 22/51)-: 3: 6
WATTS'S LOGICK (Jun. 9, 13/52)-: 9:--
WEBSTER'S ARITHMETICK (Sept. 1/51)-: 4: 6
WELCHMAN ON THE ARTICLES (Jul. 13/51)-: 2: 6
WELWOOD'S MEMOIRS (Jun. 24/51)-: 5:--
WESTMINSTER GR[eek] GRAMMAR (Aug. 17/51)-: 4:--
WHISTON'S CHRONOLOGY (Jul. 4/51)-: 5:--
WHITEFIELD'S SERMONS (Jul. 29/51 & Jun. 13/52)-: 4:-- to -: 4: 6
18
WILSON ON THE SACREMENT (Jul. 29, Sept. 10, Dec. 10/51)[£] -: 2: 6
WILSON'S SURVEYING (Jun. 17, 26/52)-:12:--
WIT'S COMMON WEALTH (Jun. 24/51)-: 2: 6
WOMAN OF PLEASURE 2 vols. (Apr. 6/51)-:12:--
Y
YOUNG MAN'S COMPANION (apparently from B. Franklin, Philadelphia) (Sept. 14, Oct. 1, 9, Dec. 15/51)-: 5: 9
YOUNG'S NIGHT THOUGHTS see NIGHT THOUGHTS
YELVERTON'S REPORTS (May 15/52)-:13:--

The day-book kept by William Hunter ended with the date June 29, 1752. Another day-book, kept by Joseph Royle,1 who succeeded Hunter on the site and continued the business along the same lines, has survived for the years 1764-1766. From this it is apparent that many of the same titles (novels, text-books, etc.) were still being sold in the 1760's. Among the additional titles were the following:

ADVENTURES OF A GUINEA 2 vols. (Feb. 25/64)[£] -:13:--
ANDERSON'S HIST. TRADE & COMMERCE 2 vols. fo. (May 5/64)3: 3:--
ARITHMETICK [see also Fisher's and Newton's Arithmetick]
ATTORNEY'S PRACTICE IN KING'S BENCH (Sept. 17/64)1: 6:--
BARETTI'S ITAL. & ENG. DICT. 2 vols. (Feb. 4/64)2:10: 6
BAYLEY'S DICTIONARY (Feb. 10/64; Feb. 15/65)-:14:-- to -:15:--
BROOKE'S GAZETTEER (Feb. 64)-:13:--
BROOKE'S PRACTICE OF PHYSICK (Apr. 13/64)1: 5:--
CHAMBER'S DICTIONARY — Supplement 2 vols. fo. (May 23/64)9:--:--
CHINESE PIECES 2 vols. (Feb. 23/64)-:13:--
CITIZEN OF THE WORLD 2 vols. (Feb. 23/64)-:13:--
COLLECTION OF NEW SONGS (Feb. 26/64)-: 6: 9
COMPLETE GAMESTER (Nov. 16/64)-: 7: 6
COURT CALENDAR FOR 1764(Apr. 21/64)-: 5:--
DEATH OF ABEL Mar. 14/64)-: 2: 2
DELIA ISTORIA D'ITALIA 2 vols. fo. (Feb. 4/64)4: 8:--
DEVIL UPON TWO STICKS (Nov. 7/64)-: 6: 3
DICTIONARY OF ARTS & SCIENCES 5 vols. (May 4, Dec. 8/64)4:--:-- to 4:10:--
Dictionaries—see also Bayley's, Chambers', Johnson's &c.
DUHAMEL'S HUSBANDRY 4to (Feb. 4/64)-:16:--
ELOISA [heloise] (Rousseau) 4 vols. (Feb. 10/64)1: 6:--
EMMERSONS FLUCTIONS (Feb. 8/64)-:15:--
EUTROPIUS (Clarke's) (Feb. 3/64)-:10:--
FARRIER'S DICTIONARY (Mar. 28/64)-: 7: 6
FISHER'S ARITHMETICK (Sept. 26/64)-: 6: 3
FRANKLIN ON ELECTRICITY (Feb. 1864)-:12: 6
19

RR023801 Virginia Gazette Hunter (ed.), May 24, 1751

20
GLASSE'S [Hannah] COOKERY (Feb. 4, 8, 9/64)[£] -:12: 6
GOUGET ORIGIN OF LAWS (Feb. 6/64)1:16:--
HARRISON'S COOKERY (Feb. 6/64)-: 6: 3
HARRISON'S PRACTICE IN CHANCERY (Sept. 17/64)1: 6:--
HUME'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND 6 vols. 4to (Mar. 2/64)10:10:--1
JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY 2 vols. (Feb. 3/64)1: 2: 6
JULIA MANDEVILLE 2 vols. (Feb. 3/64)-:13:--
LADIES COMPLETE LETTER WRITER (Feb. 25/64)-: 5: 9
LADY MONTAGUE'S LETTER 3 vols. (Feb. 4/64)1:--:--
LONDON VOCABULARY (Mar. 16/64)-: 2: 6
LOVE IN A VILLAGE (Jun. 16/64)-: 3:--
MACLAURIN'S ALGEBRA (Feb. 21/64)-:15:--
MADAM POMPADOUR 3 vols. (Feb. 23/64)1:--:--
MAIRE'S BOOKKEEPING (Nov. 1/64)-:12: 6
MARTIALS EPIGRAMS (Nov. 30/64)-: 7: 6
MILLENIUM HALL (Feb. 23/64)-: 6:--
MILLER'S GARDENER'S DICTIONARY (May 2 & 23/64)2:15:--
MILTON'S WORKS 2 vols. (Feb. 6/64)-:10:--
MINIFIES NOVELS 3 vols. (Feb. 23/64)1:--:--
MISCELLANEOUS PIECES FROM THE CHINESE (May 5/64)-: 5: 6
MOORE'S FABLES with Cutts (apr. 27/64)-:12: 6
NEW DUTY OF MAN (Apr. 21/64)-:15:--
NEWTON'S ARITHMETICK (Sept. 26/64)-:10:--
ORRERY'S LIFE OF SWIFT (Feb. 23/64)-: 6:--
THE PENMAN'S EMPLOYMENT (Mar. 12/64)1:--:--
PERSIAN TALES (Feb. 6/64)-: 6:--
POLITE LADY (Feb. 23/64)-: 6:--
THE REVERIE 2 vols. 12o (May 5/64)-: 6:--
ROBERTSON'S HISTORY OF SCOTLAND 2 vols. 4to (Mar. 2/64)-: 6:--
ROBINSON CRUSOE (Feb. 20/64)3:--:--
ROLLIN'S ANCIENT HISTORY (Sept. 25/64)-: 2: 6
RULES FOR ROUND HAND COPPER PLATE (Feb. 14/64)-: 2: 6
SALMON'S UNIVERSAL TRAVELER 2 vols. fo. (Mar. 12/64)7:--:--
SCAPULAE LEXICON fo. (Feb. 4/64)1: 2: 6
SMOLLET'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND wth Cutts 11 vols. (Feb. 11/64)6:17: 6
STEWART'S TRACTS (Feb. 8/64)-:15:--
SWIFT'S FOUR LAST YEARS OF QUEEN ANNE (Oct. 16/64)-:12: 6
SWITZER'S GARDENING (Feb. 6/64)1:15:--
SYSTEM OF ARCHITECTURE (Jun. 16/64)1: 2: 6
TRISTRAM SHANDY (May 2/64)1:16:--
UNIVERSAL GAZETTEER (Feb. 10/64)-: 8: 9
UNIVERSAL TRAVELLER (Salmon) 2 vols. (Mar. 12/64)7:--:--
VOLTAIRE'S CANDIDUS (Mar. 12/64)-: 3: 9
VOLTAIRE'S SELECT PIECES (Feb. 23/64)-: 6:--
VOLTAIRE'S WORKS From vol. 12 to vol. 32 (May 23/64)6: 6:--
WYLD'S SURVEYING (Feb. 6/64)-: 7:--
XENOPHON (Hutchinson's) (Oct. 25/64)-:15:--

Other titles were advertised in the Virginia Gazettes from time to time. An advertisement of titles sold at the printing-office on Lot 48 in 1777 follows: 21 RR023802 Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Hunter (eds.), January 3, 1777

22

B. PRINTS:

The Virginia Gazette advertisement listing books for sale at the printing-office of May 24 1751, also mentioned "a large Assortment of Copper Plate Prints, of various Dimensions, fit for framing."1

Accounts for the sale of the following prints credited to "Bought Books,"2 were noted in William Hunter's day-book for 1750-1752—few accounts giving any description of the prints:

May 23, 1751David LongDR To Bought Books &c.
For 6 Prints @ 2/62 Do @2/[£]-:19:--
May 23, 1751James CockeDr To Bought Books:
To 16 Prints @ 8d[£] -:10: 8
Prospect of Charles Town-:14:--
Hunting Piece-:15:--1:19:
May 23, 1751John PrentisDr To Bought Books:
For 10 Prints @ 2/61: 5: 0
5 Do @ 1/6-: 7: 6
1 Do @ 9d-: -: 91:13: 3
May 29, 1751Thomas EverardDr to Acct of Bought Books &c.
For 2 Prints @ 1/6-: 3:--
June 28, 1751James CarterDr To Bought Books &c.
For sundry Prints2:10: 7
Blenheim-:10:--
Map of London-:10:--3:10: 7
August 8, 1751James CarterDr To Bought Books &c.
For 6 Prints fram'd with Glass @ 3/91: 2: 6
May 30, 1752Thos EverardDr To Bt B.:
For 1 Metzitinto Print2/-: 2:--
June 2, 1752John WebbDr To B. Books &c.
For 4 Metzitinto Prints @ 2/-: 8:--
June 2, 1752Robert NicholsonDr To Bt Books
For 18 Prints @ 2/1:16:--
June 23, 1752Honble Thomas NelsonDr To Bt. Books &c.
For 6 Coloured Prints @ 3/61: 1:--
2 plain Do @ 2/-: 4:--1: 5:--

23

The day-book for the years 1764-17661, shows that Joseph Royle was purchasing prints from Robert Sayers, which he sold at the printing-office, as follows:

May 25, 1764Robert Bayer to General Accounts-Office:
For Sundry Prints on Commission per the [ship name illeg.]
Capt Cocke£ 98: 5: 5
May 23, 1764Alexander Purdie
16 Sayer's Prints in frames gilt8:-:--
2 Do small Ditto-: 7: 6
May 23, 1764William Holt
Sayer's Prints
For 144 Views & 2 Optical Glasses11:--:--
June 13, 1764John Hunter
6 Sayer's Prints in frames, gilt3:15:--
4 Do small Ditto1:--:--
June 15, 1764John Hunter
2 Sayer's Prints in frames gilt1: 5:--
4 Sayer's Prints in frames gilt2:10:­-
[June 16]
6 Sayer's Prints in frames gilt1:10:--
June 16, 1764Hugh Walker
1 Doz. Sayer's Prints in frames gilt7:10:--
2 Do large K & Q in Ditto1:10:­
June 28, 1764William Massie
8 Sayer's Prints in frames gilt1: 5:--
June 28, 1764Valentine Wood
2 Sayer's Prints in frames gilt1: 5;-­
July 19. 1764Hugh Walker2 DR to R. Sayer
12 Transparent Prints framed wth 2 Glasses to each1:10:--
2 Champions Penman's Employment-:16:--
1 Satyrical History 2 vols.-:10:--
24
26 Drawing Books 13 to ye Doz. 8/[£]-:16:--
52 Ditto 4/-:16:--
12 Transparent Cards-: 9:--
6 Setts of Ovals1:16:--
6 Ditto Round-:18:--
6 Sleeping Venus-: 4: 6
350 Watch Prints, plain & Coloured2: 9: 6
39 Ditto with Aprons-:12:--
4 Setts of Prints to the Lady of Pleasure1:16:--
6 Spanish Padlock-: 4: 6
6 Nun at Confession-: 4: 6
1 Le Brun's Passions 12 Heads-: 2: 3£13: 4: 3
February 5, 1765Jane Vobe
6 Ruins of Rome6:--:--
6 Sea Pieces6:--:--
2 Views of Quebeck2:--:--
1 Dutchess of Ancaster painted on glass-:10:--14:10:--
April 11, 1765Jane Vobe
3 Views of Studley Park in frames gilt3:--:--
1 Shepherdess painted on Glass do-:10:--3:10:--
April 12, 1765Jane Vobe
6 four sheet Maps on rollers,1 13/ coloured3:18:--
July 2, 1765Rivington & Brown
4 Woman of Pleasure 2 Vols.1:16:--
5 Setts of Prints to Ditto2: 5:--
6 Spanish Padlock-: 4: 6
6 Nun at Confession-: 4: 6
6 Sleeping Venus-: 4: 6
6 Setts of Ovals1:16:--
6 Setts of Rounds-:18:--
11 Transparent Prints framed, with 2 glasses to each1: 7: 68:16:--
September 2, 1765Revd James Horrocks
8 Prints in frames dble Gilt at 11/4: 8:--
September 14, 1765Hartwell Cocke
5 four Sheet Maps on Rollers, Cold viz the World and four Quarters at 15/3:15:--

ROBERT SAYER, publisher
53 Fleet St., London.

MS. DAY-BOOK OF JOSEPH ROYLE, WILLIAMSBURG PRINTING OFFICE, FOR YEARS 1764-1766. Original Alderman Library, University of Virginia. Photostat Research Dept., CWI

May 25, 1764 — ROBERT SAYER* to General Accounts [Printing] Office:

[Sale of Sayer prints follow—sometimes unspecified, sometimes subject mentioned, i.e.: May 23, 1764 Alexander Purdie purchased "16 Sayer's Prints in frames gilt" for £8; also 2 Ditto small Ditto for 7/6. IN June, Hugh Walker, Williamsburg merchant, purchased "1 Doz. Sayer's Prints in frames gilt" for £7:10:0 and "2 Do large K & Q in Ditto" for £1:10:0. In February, 1765, Jane Vobe, Williamsburg tavernkeeper, purchased "6 Ruins of Rome" for £6; "6 Sea Pieces" for £6; "2 Views of Quebeck" for £2; and "Dutchess of Ancaster painted on glass" for 10/. IN April, 1765 she purchased "3 Views of Studley Park in frames gilt" for £3; "1 Shepherdess painted on Glass" in ditto for 10/; and 6 four-sheet Maps on Rollers, coloured, for 13/. These were apparently Sayer Prints, as were the following purchased in 1764 and 1765 from the Printing Office: "Sleeping Venus"; "Ruins of Rome"; "Nun at Confession": "Spanish Padlock"; "Le Brun's Passions 12 Heads" etc.]

25

The day-book quoted above ends with the date January 25, 1766, and our source for prints sold at the printing-office thereafter is the Virginia Gazette. In January, 1776, the Gazette carried the following notice:

"Just come to Hand, and to be SOLD at this PRINTING-OFFICE, A large end exact VlEW of the late BATTLE at CHARLESTOWN, E1egant1y coloured, Price one Dollar.
Also an accurate MAP of The present SEAT of CIVIL WAR, Taken by an able Draughtsman, who was on the Spot at the late Engagement, Price one Dollar."1

C. STATIONERY SUPPLIES:

"Statinary of all Kinds, viz. Quills, Sealing-Wax, Wafers, Inkstands, Pocket Cases, Playing Cards, Ink-powder, Sand and Pounce Boxes, with Pounce, Folio Paper Cases, Pasteboard Files and Laces,"2 as well as writing-paper, were sold at the printing-office on lot #48, by William Hunter and the printers who followed him.

In 1775, Dixon and Hunter were offering3 a "complete assortment of all kinds of stationary" including the "BEST Writing Paper, Imperial, Royal, Medium, Demy, Thick and Thin Post, Propatria and Pot,4 by the Ream, or smaller quantity, Gilt, Plain, and Black 26 Edge Paper for Letters"; as well as "large Dutch Quills and Pens; red and black Sealing Wax and Wafers; Memorandum Books; Red Ink, in small Vials; Red Ink-powder; Pounce and Pounce-Boxes; Black Lead Pencils; all sizes of Morocco Pocket Books; all Sorts and Sizes of Pewter Inkstands; best Edinburgh Inkpots, for the Pocket; best Playing Cards."

From two surviving day-books which were kept at this printing office in the years 17501-752 and 1764-1766, it is evident that approximately the same stationery items were sold throughout the 1750-1755 period, although the prices varied slightly. The printers imported both printing and writing paper by the ream,1 and usually sold the writing-paper by the quire.

The following items from the day-books, giving prices for items sold at the printing office, serve as examples of the many entries which occur for each item:

Writing paper, and other paper, usually sold by the quire:
1 quire of Paper (Apr. May, Jul. Aug. &c. 1751[£] -: 1: 3
4 Quires Paper (Feb. 4/64)-: 5:--
1 quire best large Paper
1 quire Pott Paper (Aug. 31/51)-: 1: 3
2 quires Follscap (Aug. 31/51)-: 3:--
1 quire Gilt Paper (May 1/51)-: 3: 6
1 quire Gilt Paper (Mar. 17/64)-: 4:--
1 sheet of Imperial Paper (May 6/51)-:--: 8
½ quire of Imperial (May 7/51)-: 6: 3
4 quires bleu Paper (May 24/51)-: 4:--
27
6 quires Post Paper 4to & Folio (Jan. 24/64)[£] 1: 1:--
4 quires Small Post & Propatria (Jan. 24/64)-: 8:--
2 Quires 4to Post Paper (Feb. 8/64)-: 7: 6
2 Quires Small Post (Feb. 8/64)-: 4:--
1 Quire small Post paper (Feb. 22/64)-: 2:--
2 Quires Thick fo Post Paper (Mar. 17/64)-: 7: 6
2 d[itt]o thin do-: 7: 6
2 do thick 4to Post gilt (Mar. 17/64)-: 8: --
2 do thin do do "-: 8:--
2 do thick do plain "-: 7: 6
2 do thin do do "-: 7: 6
4 do small Post "-: 8:--
2 do best Pott-: 3:--
2 do Demy-: 7: 6
1 quire fine Pott Paper (Mar. 19/64)-: 2:--
1 quire Propatria (Feb. 5/52 & Apr. 10/64)-: 4:--
1 quire Mourning Paper (Mar. 17/64)-: 4:--
[usually sold with stick of black wax]
½ Ream fine Med. brown Paper (Jul. 31/64)-: 6: 8
Inks, Quills, Inkstands, Sealing-Wax & Wafers:
For a paper of Ink Powder (Dec. 1/50 & Jul. 18/51)-:--: 7-½ to -:--: 8
1 Paper Ink Powder (Sept. 4/64 & Feb. 21/65)-: 1:--
Ingredients for Red Ink (Jan. 2/51)-: 6: 6
1 Viol Red ink (Feb. 4, Apr. 5 & 27, Oct. 19/64)-: 1:-- to -: 1: 3
100 best Quills (Feb. 16/51)-: 5:--
25 Quills (Jul. 10/51)-: 1: 3
¼ C [25] best Dutch Quills (Mar. 3/64)-: 2: 6
25 Quills (Feb. 21/65)-: 1: 6
25 Pens (Feb. 5/52)-: 1: 3
For 1 Pewter Ink Pott (Aug. 4/50)-: 2:--
1 Glass Ink-Pot (Aug. 3/51)-: 2:--
1 leather Ink Pot (Apr. 5/64)-: 5:--
1 Edinburgh Ink Pott (Mar. 9/64; Apr. 24/65)-: 5:--
1 Ink Chest (Feb. 16/51)-:10:--
2 Pewter Ink Chests (Apr. 26/64)1:--:--
1 Ink Stand (Mar. 4/52)-:--: 4
1 Pewter Ink Stand (Apr. 7/64)-: 2: 6
1 Pewter Ink Stand (Apr. 26/65)-:10:--
1 large Silver fash. Ink Stand (May 2/64)1:10:--
For 2 Sticks Wax (Jun. 27/51)-: 1: 3
2 Sticks Black Wax (May 30/51)-: 8:--
6 Sticks black Wax (May 14/64)-: 6:--
1 Stick Sealing Wax (Aug. 30/64)-: 1:--
1 Stick black sealing Wax (Sept. 17/64)-: 1:--
For 1 Box of Wafers (May 8/51)-:--: 9
1 Box of Wafers (May 8/51)-: 2:--
1 Box Wafers (June 16/64)-:--: 7-½
1 Box black Wafers (May 14/64)-: 2: 6
1 Box red Wafers (Feb. 15/64)-: 1: 3
1 Box Wafers (Jul. 7/64)-: 1: 3
1 Box Wafers (Jun. 16/64)-: 5:--
28
Slates, Slate Pencils, Lead Pencils:
For a Slate and Pencils (Dec. 5/50)[£] -: 1: 6
a Slate and Pencils (Aug. 6/51)-: 1: 3
3 Slate Pencils (Oct. 22/50)-:--: 4
For 2 Lead Pencils 8d-:--: 8
3 lead Pencils (May 9/51)-: 1: 6
2 Black lead Pencils (Feb. 6/64)-: 1: 3
Pounce, Pounce and Sand Boxes:
For Pounce and Box (Oct. 31/50; Feb. 27/52)-: 1: 3 to -: 1: 4
1 Pounce Box (Dec. 10/64)-: 1: 3
a Sand Box (Nov. 3/50)-: 1: 6
a Sand Box (Aug. 3/51)-:--: 6
1 Cocoa Sand Box (Jun. 11/52)-: 2:--
Files, Memorandum Books, Pocket Books, Instrument Cases:
For 4 Pasteboard Files @ 9d (Nov. 29/50)-: 3:--
For 1 Bazil Case (Nov. 14/50)-: 3: 6
For 2 Doz. Memo Books (Jan. 2/51)-: 3:--
1 Memorandum Book (Feb. 29/64)-: 1: 3
For a Pocket Book (Jul. 11/51)-: 1: 6
21 Ivory Pocket Books @ 2/62:12: 6
1 Red Morocco Pocket Book (Feb. 19/64)-: 7: 6
1 blue Morocco Pocket Book (Mar. 24/64)-: 7: 6
For 1 Morocco Instrument Case with Silver Lock (Apr. 22 & May 3/65)2:--:-- to 2: 2: 6
1 Morocco Instrument Case with silver clasp (May 1/65)1:16: 3
Playing Cards:1
For 6 Packs of Harry Cards (Nov. 29/50)-: 6:--
13 Packs Cards (Aug. 12/51)-:10: 9
2 Doz: Highlander Cards (Feb. 23/51)-:12:--
6 Packs of Cards (Apr. 13/51)-: 3: 9
2 Packs best Harry Cards (Feb. 2/64)-: 3:--
1 Pack H's Cards (Mar. 5/64)-: 1:--
1 Doz. Pack best Harry Cards (Feb. 2/64)-:15:--
6 Packs Harry Cards (Apr. 10/64)-: 7: 6
1 Doz Packs best H's Cards (Apr. 10/64)-:15:--
1 Doz. Packs best Harry Cards (May 9/65)-:13: 9
2 Doz. best Harry Cards (May 22/65)2: 1: 3
6 Packs best Harry Cards (May 17/65)-: 7: 6
1 doz Mogull Cards (June 14/65)-:15:--
29
Miscellaneous:
For 1 Sett of Instruments (Feb. 24/52)[£] -: 9:--
a Case of Surveyor's Instruments (Mar. 8/51)2: 3: 4
For a Folding Stick (Jun. 4/51)-: 1:--
For 6 round Rulers (Feb. 24/52)-: 2: 6
For a Pen Knife (Mar. 14/51)-: 2: 6
For 1 Skin of Parchment (Jul. 3/51)-: 1: 3
a Skin of large Parchment (Aug. 10/51)-: 3:--
For 1 Skin of Morocco Leather (Mar. 12/64)-:12: 6

(4) POST OFFICE:

In 1738 a post-rider from New-Post, (just below Fredericksburg, Va.), bringing mail from the north, arrived at the printing-office in Williamsburg every other Saturday. William Parks was commissioned to extend the postal service to the south, and a rider set out from the Williamsburg printing-office (which served as the post-office also) once a month on Mondays to go to Nansemond Courthouse Norfolk, and Edenton, and return.1

In 1766,2 the riders arrived twice a week at the printing-office: a rider from Hampton arrived in Williamsburg at noon every Tuesday and Saturday, to be met there by the rider from Hanover town. These riders connected, at Hampton and Hanover, with riders to the south and the north.

The printing-office evidently provided sleeping-space for the riders. We do not know where the beds were placed, but according, to William Hunter's inventory of 1761, he had "At the Office:"

1 bed bolster 2 pr Sheets Rugg blanket Counterpin and bedstead[£] 7:10:--
1 bed bolster, Rugg blanket bedstead3:--:--
1 bed bolster blanket bedstead and pr sheets4:--:--
1 Musket and Sword 40/ 8 Chairs £3 24 pictures & Maps 30/6:10:--
1 pr Candlesticks 5/ 3 old Tables 5/-:10:--
1 pr Tongs Shovel — [torn] and Milk pot-:12:--

The three beds may have been used by journeymen printers, etc., as well as post-riders.

30

From the day-books kept by William Hunter and by Joseph Royle in 1750-52 and 1764-66 it is evident that such items as post-horns, saddles, portmanteaus, mail pillions and straps, saddle-bags, etc., were either purchased or repaired for the post-riders.1

We do not know what special equipment would have been required at the printing-office for the postal activities there. Besides sleeping quarters for the riders, stablage, fodder, etc. for their horses had to be provided on the property, or nearby.

A desk, and some device (possibly pigeon-holes), for sorting the mail to be delivered in Williamsburg, and for incoming and outgoing mails, must have been provided for the person in the printing-office who handled the postal operations. However, the number of letters which passed through the post-office was not very large. Although postage was sometimes paid in advance, it was "customary to pay postage on receipt of letters, not on sending them, and usually posmasters were willing to trust men for a reasonable length of time."2 The two surviving day-books kept at the printing­office in 1750-52 and 1764-66 carefully noted the letters on which postage was paid in the Williamsburg office. For example, only seventeen persons were charged for postage for the month of March, 1752. In March, 1765, postage was charged against the accounts of some fifty persons, and an additional fifteen paid in cash for postage on letters. Until 1758 the postal-riders carried the news­papers without charge, but thereafter a charge was set.3

Postage was charged by the mile, for "single," "double" and "treble" letters. In 1765 postal rates for "single" letters were 4-pence up to 60 miles; 6-pence 60 to 100 miles; 8-pence 100 to 200 miles; and 2-pence for each additional 100 miles thereafter.4 There was a set charge for ship letters, and in 1755 a packet line was established direct from England to New York.5 The small charge of two-pence for ship letters was reduced in 1765, to 1-penny.6

31

In 1774 it was ordered that the "several mails shall be under lock and key and liable to no person but the respective postmasters to whom they shall be directed"; and it was also ordered that the "regulations" concerning "the postage of letters and packets and the terms on which newspapers are to be carried…be printed and set up in each respective post office.

We do not know just when the Williamsburg post-office began using a stamped postmark. The first examples of this mark in manuscript letters in Colonial Williamsburg Archives are in 1771. The stamp "WMSBURG," usually on the back of a folder letter, near the seal, appears on several letters in the Norton Papers—the earliest letter—a letter from Jones & Clark of London to John Hatley Norton of Yorktown, Virginia per Capt. Neck's ship—being dated London, June 4, 177l.2 The letters seem to have been stamped on receipt at Williamsburg, and when sent from Williamsburg. Two examples are attached hereto—a letter from John Norton, Merchant in London, dated August 8, 1771,to his son, John Hatley Norton of Yorktown,3 and a letter from Catherine Rathell to John Norton in London, written from "Williamsburg 17th Januy 1772.4

32

RR023803 Letter from John Norton, merchant of London, dated London, August 8, 1771, sent to his son, John Hatley Norton of Yorktown, Virginia, by Captain White's ship. Note original folds of letter, and WMSBURG stamp near seal on back, which was added when it reached the Williamsburg post-office. Endorsement, also on back of letter, added by John Hatley Norton when letter was answered. Norton Papers, C. W. Archives.

33

RR023804 Letter from Catherine Rathell, of Williamsburg, Virginia, to John Norton, merchant in London, dated Virginia 17th January, 1772. Note WMSURG postmark on back fold of letter, near seal, as well as New York postmark, and other stamps. Also note John Norton's endorsement after receipt of letter. Norton Papers, C. W. Archives

34

Although this compilation of printing-office activities is only intended to give an idea of the items printed, bound, and sold at the printing-office on lot #48, or imported and sold at that office, the inventories of two Williamsburg printers on other sites may be of interest.

As explained on page 1, William Parks purchased printing-equipment from England for a well-furnished printing-office in Williamsburg, which he opened in 1730. No inventory of this equipment has survived; but we know that the printing­office and lot were purchased in 1750-51 by William Hunter, who had worked for Parks. Hunter also purchased Parks' printing-equipment, furniture, and stock of stationery-supplies, books, etc. on hand for an additional sum of £357:1:4-¼, plus the sum due Hunter for completing Parks' contract for publishing the collected laws of Virginia.1

The surviving day-books which were kept at the printing-office on lot #48 for the years 1750-1752 and 1764-1766, contain no entries for the purchase of actual printing-equipment during those years, so Parks' equipment must have been adequate. The day-books of course, contain entries for purchase of printing­paper, and for leather, boards, gold-leaf, and other supplies used in binding. Also charges were entered against "Household Expenses" in the 1750-52 day-book for such items as "a Desk" purchased for £4 and "a Pair of Scales" for 4/6;2 "58 lbs. Tallow" for £1:6:7;3 candles by the pound and nine-pence a pound;4 another Desk at 35 £3:10:--;1 "6 Chairs @ 15/ £4:10:--" purchased from Anthony Hay,2 cabinetmaker, and later proprietor of the Raleigh; and for rum, wine,3 and "Beer and Cheese £4:3:3-½."4

However, new printing-equipment must have been purchased from time to time by the printers on lot #48. We know, for example, that new type was purchased ca. 1774 for the Dixon & Hunter Virginia Gazette.5

Alexander Purdie, printer on lot #48 until 1775, opened a new printing­office, with new equipment, in 1775, at the time young William Hunter went into partnership with John Dixon on lot #48. Purdie had his printing-office on the site of the present "Tarpley store." He also published a Virginia Gazette, and operated a post-office. He died in April, 1779, and the following items appear in an inventory of his estate—evidently in his printing-office, as they appear at the end of the inventory, following household and kitchen equipment.

1 Double Writing Desk[£] 20. -. -
1 Grate, Fender, blower & Table6. -. -
22 sheets parchment £13.4, 1 table 40/15. 4. -
1 odd Windsor Chair 1 work bench1. 4. -
1 Midnight Modern Conversation-. 6. -
1 pine Table, 1 stool, 1 pr Steps2. -. -
1 Lot Books £15.15 1 do £2.1818.13. -
1 lot of books £4.10 Woods Institutes £59.10. -
4 large Church Prayer books12. -. -
10 years Gazettes10. -. -
A Lot of Music £5. pr. Scales & Wts £4.109.10. -
2 ink stands and sand box1.10. -
36
1 mattrass and bedstead[£] 10. -. -
40 lbs. lamp black £80 2 trunks 40/82. -. -
2 press stones £10 4 stools 24/11. 4. -
2 presses Compleat £150, 500 lb. Types £12.10162.10. -
8 Walnut cases and 4 frames20. -. -
6 Chases & 4 composing sticks18. -. -
1 pr. Bellows, 1 pr. Shears, 1 doz. Gallies7. 4. -
1 Imposing stone and Frame8.10. -
1 pr. Dogs, 1 pr. Tongs, 1 Axe, 1 Trunk4.12. -
2 Water Jugs, 2 Ink Pots1.10. -
1 screw press compleat12. -. -
2 Casks with Linseed Oil24. -. -
1 pine Table1.10. -
1 Lye Trough & Water box3. -. -
1 Iron Slab and 1 pine Table3.10. -
3 blankets 1 Counterpane15. -. -
1 Bolster 1 pillow 1 bed quilt6. -. -
2 Whips 40/ 2 Stools 40/4. -. -
2 Coffee pots 1 Chocolate pot9. -. -
1

Another printer, William Rind, who opened an office in Williamsburg in 1766, died in August, 1773. He was public printer, and also published a Virginia Gazette, and his printing establishment continued after his death by his widow, and by John Pinkney, until sometime in 1776. He occupied the present "Ludwell-Paradise House" (which he leased from the heir's of the Ludwell family), and his printing office must have been in or near the house. The following items from his inventory of September, 1773, appeared in the York County Records:

[Inventory and Appraisment of Mr William Rind, deced. taken Sept. 27th 1773 by Alexander Purdie, John Dixon, Robert Prentis, & John Pinkney.]]
500 Weight of Long Primer @ 1/3£ 31: 5: 0
500 ditto of English @ 1/331: 5: 0
25 ditto of Double Pica @ 1/31:11: 3
25 ditto of French Canon @ 1/31:11: 3
2 Presses25: -: -
2 Imposing Stones5: -: -
15 Chases3:15:0
One Rack-:10: -
Eight Frames4: -: -
18 Pair of Cases18: -: -
15 Gallies1: -: -
Composing Sticks, 12 Letter Boards 2 large Pine Tables & sundry other Implements belonging to the Printing Office5: -: -
37
[List of beds, bedding, chairs, tables, dishes &c. follow]
…
Cutting Press and other materials for Binding[£] 4: -: -
…
New Ledger & Alphabet2: -: -
1

Footnotes

^1. Lawrence C. Wroth, The Colonial Printer (Portland, 1938), page 67. See lists of other local contemporary printing equipment—pages 34-37 following,.
^2. William Hunter purchased Parks' printing establishment in 1751, and at Hunter's death in 1761 half of the business was left in trust to his minor "natural son," William Hunter [Jr.]. Hunter's business was carried on at this site by Joseph Royle from 1761 until he died in 1766, by Alexander Purdie and John Dixon from 1766 through 1774; by John Dixon and William Hunter [Jr.] from 1775 through 1778, when young Hunter, a loyalist, withdrew from the partnership; and by John Dixon and Thomas Nicolson from 1779 until April, 1780, when the printers moved to Richmond—the capital of Virginia having moved to that city.
^1 See research report on "The Printing Office, Block 18, Lot #48," M. Goodwin, 1952, pages 8-15 for Parks' activities on lot 48; and pages 16-52 for subsequent printers on site. Also see Appendix for biographical notes on printers.
^2. For subscription rates see colophon of The Virginia Gazette, Parks, March 20­27, 1746, etc., Hunter Ms. Day-book, Nov. 9, 1751: "To 1 Year's Gazettes -:15:-"; Purdie, Virginia Gazette, March 7, 1766, mentioning 15 shillings as "the usual rate"; Purdie & Dixon, June 21, 1766, gave the annual subscription rate as 12 shillings 6 pence — and it so continued through 1775. During the American Revolution all prices changed: In February, 1779 a subscription to the Dixon & Nicolson Gazette was $10 a year (see masthead); slightly later subscriptions could be had at "as reasonable Terms as the Times will admit"; and by March 18, 1760 (see masthead) a subscription cost $50 per annum.
^3. Ms. Day-book 1750-1752. Alderman Library, University of Virginia. Photostat CWI Research Department. (Day-book of William Hunter, Williamsburg, July 28, 1750 - June 29, 1752.) Gazette expanses quoted appear under date December 31, 1751.
^1. Ms. Day-book (see page 2, note 2) under date of October 3, 1751.
^2. See ibid., under items chargeable to "Blanks" throughout day-book.
^3. See ibid., under dates December 1, 1750 and November 30, 1751.
^ 4. See ibid., under date April 25, 1752.
^1. See ibid., under date August 14, 1751.
^2. See Ms. Day-book, 1750-52. See also The Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Hunter, Oct. 31, 1777; ibid., Dixon & Nicolson, Oct. 18, 1780.
^3. Ms. Day-book, under date March 3, 1752.
^4. See ibid., under date May 23, 1751.
^5. See ibid., under date May 18, 1751.
^6. See ibid., under date July 27, 1751.
^7. This selection of titles of some of Parks' publications is taken from Lawrence C. Wroth, William Parks (Richmond: 1926) pages 43-70; and publications of his successors on the site from a tentative list of imprints in the Research Dept.
^8. The printing-office on lot #48 had competitors in and after 1766. Rind established a printing-office in Williamsburg in 1766 (he occupied the present Ludwell-Paradise House, and his printing-office was either in or near this house). Rind's business was continued after his death in 1773, first by his widow, and then by John Pinkney, until sometime in 1776. This printer also published a Virginia Gazette, and served as public printer 1766-1773. In 1775, when young William Hunter [Jr.] went into business with John Dixon, Dixon's former partner, Alexander Purdie, opened a printing office of his own on the present site of "Tarpley's Store," and also published a Virginia Gazette. Purdie was appointed public printer in 1775.
^1. Ms. Day-book, 1750-1752, under date December 31, 1751.
^1. The Virginia Gazette, Wm. Parks, ed., Sept. 24 - Oct. 1, 1736.
^1. Ms. Day-book (Wm. Hunter) under date Sept. 19, 1750.
^2. Ibid., May 10, 1751.
^3. Ibid., August 14, 1751.
^4. Ibid., Sept. 26, 1751.
^5. Ibid., Sept., 28, 1751.
^6. Ibid., March 6, 1752.
^7. Ibid., see items scattered throughout 1750-1752 Day-book.
^1. Ms. Day-book (Wm. Hunter) 1750-1752. Items scattered through day-book under dates noted, etc.
^2. Ibid., date Aug. 28, 1750.
^3. Ibid. Dec. 30, 1751: "For Red Skins 7/"; June 25, 1751: "For 3 Sheets of Pasteboard 2/"; June 27, 1752: "for 21 lbs Brazil Wood @ 9d --:15:9"; May 22, 1751: "For 30 wt Glue @ 11d" etc.
^4. Ibid., Dec. 15, 1751.
^5. Ibid., April 15, 1752.
^6. See pages 34-37 of this memo. Also notes on tools as listed in Bookbinder's report.
^7. Faculty Minutes, Ms. vol. William & Mary Archives, page 23, under date January 25, 1742.
^1. The Virginia Gazette, Parks. ed., October 17-24. 1745.
^2. From the Day-book kept at Hunter's printing-office, 1750-1752, we know that he purchased books during those years from the London-booksellers Samuel Birt (bookseller and publisher in London, Ave Mary Lane, 1728-1755); and T. Waller (London publisher, Fleet street,) on a commission basis. Hunter also purchased some titles from Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia—but most of his "bought books" were from one or the other of the above-named London booksellers.
^3. See Ms. Day-book, 1750-1752, under dates noted in list.
^4. See Ms. Day-book, 1750-1752. Items noted appear at intervals throughout the day-book, with prices as given above.
^1. It would be a long and difficult undertaking to identity fully the titles and editions mentioned in such an abbreviated manner in the day-book of 1750-52. However, an English bookdealer today who has access to a bibliography of English publications of the mid-eighteenth century, can probably identify most of the books noted.
^2. See page 19 following.
^[* Hunter got 100 copies of this from B. Franklin, at 5/ [illegible]25. See Dec. 16/51.]
^* A London 1751 ed. of Swift's A TALE OF A TUB was seen in recent years in possession of Miss Betty Cocke with William Browne's bookplate. See list of imprints under date 1768 — Research Dept. Bookbinding Report — Vol. II.
^1. Ms. Day-book Jan. 7, 1764 - Jan. 26, 1766. Original at Alderman Library, University of Virginia. Photostatic copy Research Department, CWI.
^1. This price included Robertson's History of Scotland also.
^1. See photostat page 19.
^2. These prints were probably supplied by either S. Birt or T. Waller, the London booksellers who supplied on a commission basis most of Hunter's "Bought Books." As noted, Hunter purchased a few titles from Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia.
^1. Ms. Day-book 1764-1766 at Alderman Library, University of Virginia. Photostat C.W. Archives — Research Department. Day-book kept by Joseph Royle, who succeeded William Hunter in the printing-office on lot #48.
^2. Hugh Walker kept store in Williamsburg at this time on the site of the present "Norton-Cole House." However, he returned most of the above listed items to the printing-office, for on July 4, 1765, the day-book carries an entry "Robert Sayer Dr to Hugh Walker, for sundries returned," listing all of the above except four drawing books and the 350 watch prints.
^* In the "Index of Artists, Engravers, Etc." to Stokes & Haskell American Historical Prints… (N.Y.: New York Public Library, 1933) p. 224, ROBERT SAYER is listed as a PUBLISHER of prints. This volume lists some of Sayer's prints of a later date than the above prints sold in Williamsburg in 1764-5. One earlier print listed was "A View of the City of Boston…Drawn on the Spot by His Excellency Governor Pownal; Painted by Mr Pugh, & Engraved by P.C. Canot. London (c.1758), Printed for John Bowles, at No 13 in Cornhill; Robert Sayer, at No 53 in Fleet Street; Thos Jefferys, the Corner of St Martins Lane in the Strand; Carington Bowles, at No 69 in St Pauls Church Yard; & Heny Parker, at No 82 in Cornhill." Another, ca. 1760 was "An East View of Montreal, in Canada…Drawn on the Spot by Thomas Patton Engraved by P. Canot. London. Printed for John Bowles at No 13 in Cornhill, Robert Sayer at No 53 in Fleet Street…" &c as above. IN 1774-5 Sayer and Bennett printed a mezzotint "The Patriotick Barber of New York, or The Captain in the Suds. London, Printed for R. Sayer, & J. Bennett…" [dated issued 14 Feb. 1775. Date Depicted Oct. 1774. Political cartoon. In 1783 Sayer and Bennett published "The United States of America, with the British Possessions of Canada, Nova Scotia, and of Newfoundzant…London: R. Sayer & J. Bennett, 9th February, 1783." See American Historical Prints, pages 20, 26, 33.
^1 The Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Hunter, January 6, 1776.
^2. The Virginia Gazette, Hunter, ed., May 24, 1751.
^3. The Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Hunter, March 18, 1775.
^4. The paper names, usually identifying the size of the sheet, frequently came from the watermarks originally used on the paper. For example:
Crown paper, originally watermarked with figure of a crown, measures today 15x20 inches, and 15x19 inches in the U.S. [See Oxford English-Dict. Vol. II, p. 1210.]
Demy is the name of the size of a paper: printing-paper measures 17-½ x 22-½; demy writing paper in Great Britain 15-½ x 20, in U. S. 16 x 21. [Ibid., III, p. 190.]
Fools-cap — the device used as a watermark for paper [as early as 1659]; also a long folio writing and printing paper, varying in size. [Ibid., IV, p. 400.]
Imperial… size of paper: printing-paper usually 22 x 32 inches; writing paper 22 x 30. [Ibid., V, p. 85.]
Post… a size of writing-paper, the half-sheet of which when folded forms the ordinary quarto letter-paper. Its original water-mark was a postman's horn. [Ibid., VII, p. 1161.]
Pot… size of printing or writing-paper, originally bearing watermark of a pot. Sheet normally measures 15-½ x 12-½ inches. [Oxford English Dict. Vol. VII, p. 1181.]
Pro Patria: Examples of letter paper with watermark containing words "Pro Patria" in oval around a design in Norton Papers, C. W. Archives. (See letter of Robert Carter Nicholas to John Norton, written from Williamsburg, July 7, 1768 &c.)
Royal… paper of a size measuring 24 x 19 for writing, and 25 x 20 for printing. [Oxford English Dict., VIII, p. 850.]
^1 See photostat of day-book for 1750-1752, under dates July 3, 1751 and April 15, 1752, for lists of reams of paper imported: writing Imperial; fine writing Demy; fine thick Post; superfine, fine, and second Foolscap; superfine Royall; superfine and thick Pott; printing Crown; fine Crown; etc.
^1. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (Vol. V, p. 105) "Harry" or "King Harrys" were "playing cards of the second quality." A nineteenth century source cited in this dictionary states that the "best cards are called Moguls, the others Harrys and Highlanders." … "The different qualities of cards are distinguished as Moguls, Harrys, Highlanders, and Merry Andrews."
It will be noted that the printing-office occasionally sold Moguls and Highlanders, but usually sold Harry cards.
^1. The Virginia Gazette, Wm. Parks, ed., April 21-28, 1738.
^2. Ibid., Purdie & Dixon, eds., March 21, 1766. In 1767 the days of the Hampton rider's arrival in Williamsburg changed to every Tuesday and Saturday, there to meet the Hanover rider. Ibid., May 28, 1767.
^3. York County Records, Wills, Inventories, No. XII, pages 79-82. Inventory made August 24, 1761.
^1. See Ms. day-books 1750-52 and 1764-66 (photostats CW Research Department.) See also report of Colonial Post-office in Virginia (M. Goodwin, 1956) pages 10-11, 15-16.
^2. Wesley E. Rich, The History of United States Post Office to the Year 1829, (Cambridge: Harvard Univ. Press, 1924) page 27.
^3. Rich, ibid., page 37. The rate for newspapers (1758) was set at 9-pence up to 50 miles, 1-shilling 6-pence from 50 to 100 miles, and so on in proportion.
^4. Ibid., pages 40-41. See ibid., pages 47, 53, etc. for changes in rates.
^5. Ibid., pages 36, 38.
^6. Ibid., page 38.
^1. Ibid., pages 45-47.
^2. Norton Papers, C. W. Archives.
^3. Ms. letter in Norton Papers, Valentine Museum, Richmond. Photostat C. W. Archives, (See page 32 following) .
^4. Ms. letter in Norton Papers, C. W. Archives. (See page 33 following.)
^1. See Research Report "The Printing Office, Block 18 Lot #48 (1952)" page 20.
^2. Ms. Day-book 1750-52 (photostat CWI) under date Sept. 1, 1750.
^3. Ibid., date Nov. 8, 1751.
^4. Ibid., dates Jan. 16 and Feb. 4, 1752.
^1. Ibid., May 21, 1752.
^2. Ibid., April 25, 1752.
^3. Ibid., April 11 & 21; May 6, 1752.
^4. Ibid., June 27, 1752.
^5. The Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, December 1, 1774. An announcement of the new partnership between Dixon and Hunter stated that their gazette would be printed with "new Type."
^1. York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, page 437.
^1 York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, page 197.