SPECIMEN BOOKS, 1783–1834.
- 1772. A Specimen of some of the Printing Types cast in the Foundery of Dr. A. Wilson and Sons, College of Glasgow (Glasgow,) 1772. 8vo, 24 leaves. (B.M., B. 722, 8.)
- 1783. A Specimen of Printing Types . . The above are some of the sizes cast in the Letter Foundery of Dr. Alex. Wilson and Sons, Glasgow. 1783. Broadside. (Chambers’ Cyclopædia, 1784–6.)
- 1786. A Specimen of Printing Types cast in the Letter Foundry of Alex. Wilson and Sons, Glasgow, 1786. 8vo. (Ox. Univ. Pr.)
- 1789. A Specimen of Printing Types cast in the Letter Foundry of Alex. Wilson and Sons, Glasgow, 1789. Small 4to. (Caslon.)
- 1812. A Specimen of Modern Cut Printing Types by Alex. Wilson and Sons, Letter Founders, Glasgow, 1812. 4to. (Caslon.)
- 1815. A Specimen of Modern Cut Printing Types by Alex. Wilson and Sons, Letter Founders, Glasgow, 1815. 4to. (Caslon.)
- 1823. A Specimen of Modern Printing Types by Alex. Wilson and Sons, Glasgow, 1823. 4to. (Caxt. Cel. 4402.) {267}
- 1828. A Specimen of Modern Printing Types by Alex. Wilson and Sons, Letter Founders, Glasgow, 1828. 4to. (Ox. Univ. Pr.)
- 1833. A Specimen of Modern Printing Types cast at the Letter Foundry of Alex. Wilson and Sons, Glasgow, 1833. 4to. (T. B. R.)
- 1833. A Specimen of Modern Printing Types cast at the Letter Foundry of Wilsons and Sinclair, New Street, Edinburgh, 1833. 4to. (Ox. Univ. Pr.)
- 1834. A Selection from the Specimen Book of Alex. Wilson and Sons, Glasgow Letter Foundry, Great New Street, Gough Square, London, 1834. 4to. (Caslon.)
CHAPTER XIII.
JOHN BASKERVILLE, 1752.
OHN BASKERVILLE was Born at Wolverley, in The county of Worcestershire, in the year 1706. He began life as a footman to a clergyman, and at the age of twenty became a writing-master in Birmingham. This occupation he appears to have supplemented by, or exchanged for, that of engraving inscriptions on tombstones and memorials; a profession in which he is said to have shown much talent.[543] In 1737 he was still engaged in teaching writing at a school in the Bull-Ring, Birmingham, and is said to have written an excellent hand. His artistic tastes led him afterwards to enter into the japanning business, in which he prospered and became possessed of considerable property. He purchased an estate on the outskirts of the town, to which he gave the name of Easy Hill; and here built a handsome house, in which he carried on his business, and lived in considerable style.[544]
70. From Hansard.