[674] The prefatory note to this specimen runs as follows:—“Sir, Having completed my new Specimen, I take the opportunity of sending you a copy, and flatter myself it will meet with your approbation. I shall be happy to receive your future orders, and you may be assured of every possible attention being paid to the execution of those you may favour me with. I remain, your obedient humble servant, William Caslon. Salisbury Square, Jan. 1, 1798.”
[675] He made an offer in 1817 to travel on commission for the founders generally, but his services in this direction were not made use of.
[676] The Circular announcing this improvement is dated Salisbury Square, Jan. 1, 1810. The new types are offered at 1s. 10d. per lb., and, as an encouragement to buyers, 1s. per lb. is offered for old metal.
[677] See ante, p. [120]. This appears to have been intended as an improvement on the invention of Nicholson, who was the first (in 1790) to suggest the casting of types wedge-shaped, for fixing on cylinders. (p. 119.)
[678] Considerable prominence is naturally given to the large letters “cast in moulds and matrices” by the new “Sanspareil” method.
17. WILLIAM MARTIN, 1790
[680] George Nicol was born in 1741, and was for many years bookseller to King George III. He married a niece of the first Alderman Boydell in 1787. The idea of the Boydell Shakespeare originated with him. He was a prominent member of the literary clubs of his day, and a personal friend of the Duke of Roxburghe. He died in 1829, aged 88.
[681] A history of this celebrated Press would almost involve a history of fine printing in the first quarter of the present century. Dibdin, in the second volume of his Bibliographical Decameron, has given a list of its most famous impressions. Bulmer was a personal friend of Thomas Bewick, the engraver, many of whose blocks were cut for his books. He spared no pains to render the typography of his press the most correct and beautiful England had hitherto known. He retired in 1819, leaving Mr. Wm. Nicol, only son of his friend George Nicol, to carry on the business. Mr. Bulmer died Sept. 9, 1830, in his 74th year, greatly honoured and respected.
[682] The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare. Revised by G. Steevens. London: 1792–1802. 18 parts in 9 vols. Atlas folio. With 100 engravings.