Of the other engravers whose names appear on but one or two plates, no information has been obtained. There were probably many who had but a local fame, and who made but a few plates. Their names are remembered now in a way not expected at the time of signing them, undoubtedly.
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In a recent article on Count Rumford, in the “New England Magazine,” it is said that, when a youth, he designed book-plates. No authentic examples of his work are known, and no information can be obtained concerning any.
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Jacob Hurd, the father of Nathaniel, was a goldsmith of Boston, and his name is on pieces of plate in the First and Second churches in Boston, and the First Church, and Christ Church, in Dorchester. He very probably made book-plates, though no signed work is known. He died in 1758. He appears in the list of subscribers to “Prince’s Chronological History of New England,” as taking six copies.
In the “Boston Evening Post,” for March 4, 1745, the following advertisement appears:—
“Francis Garden, Engraver from London, engraves in the newest Manner and at the cheapest Rates, Coats-of-Arms, Crests or Cyphers on Gold, Silver, Pewter or Copper. To be heard of at Mr. Caverley’s, Distiller, at the South End of Boston. N.B. He will wait on any Person in Town or Country, to do their Work at their own House, if desired: also copper-plate printing perform’d by him.”
No signed example of this gentleman’s work has thus far come to our knowledge. It is fair to presume, however, that he engraved book-plates.
