If this book—the imperfections of which are apparent to no one as painfully as they are to the writer—should in any way encourage the study of our national Typography, with a view to profit by the history of the past in an endeavour to promote its excellence in the future, the labour here concluded will be amply repaid.
The agreeable task remains of thanking the numerous friends to whose aid and encouragement this book is indebted for much of whatever value it may possess.
My foremost thanks are due to my honoured and valued friend, Mr. William Blades, to whom I am indebted for far more than unlimited access to his valuable typographical library, and the ungrudging use of his special knowledge on all subjects connected with English typography. These I have enjoyed, and what was of equal value his kindly advice and sympathy during the whole progress of a work which, but for his encouragement from the outset, might never have been completed.
Another friend who, brief as was our acquaintance, had taken a genuine interest in the progress of this History, and had enriched it by more than one valuable communication, has been snatched away by the hand of Death before the thanks he never coveted but constantly incurred can reach him. In Henry Bradshaw the world of books has lost a distinguished ornament, and this little book has lost a hearty friend.
To Mr. F. Madan, of the Bodleian Library, Oxford, I owe much valuable information as to early printing at that University; while to the kindness of Mr. Horace Hart, Controller of the University Press, I am indebted for full access to the highly interesting collection of typographical antiquities preserved at that Press, as well as for the specimens I am here enabled to show of some of the most interesting relics of the oldest Foundry in the country. {ix}
Mr. T. W. Smith has kindly given me similar facilities as regards the archives and historical specimens of the venerable Caslon Foundry.
Mr. Sam. Timmins most generously placed at my disposal much of the information embodied in my chapter on Baskerville, including the extracts from the letters forming part of his unique collection relating to that celebrated typographer.
To Mr. James Figgins I am obliged for many particulars relating to the early association of founders at the commencement of the present century; also for a specimen of one of the most noted founts of his distinguished ancestor.
Mr. Charles R. Rivington I have to thank for one or two valuable extracts from the Minutes of the Court of the Stationers’ Company, relating to Letter Founders.