History of Printing in America

by Weathervane Books and Isaiah Thomas

Book Overview

By ISAIAH THOMAS, LL.D. PRINTER, LATB XBNIDBNT OF THB AXBRICAN ANTIQUARIAN afX IBTY, MKM nKB OF TUB AMBUICAN PHIL080PIIICAL 80C1BTT, AND OF TUB MABSACUU itBTTB ND MBW TOBK HISTORICAL 80CIBTIB8. SECOND... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 051717202X
• ISBN13: 9780517172025
• Release Date: December 1988
• Publisher: Gramercy Books
• Length: 650 Pages
• Weight: 2.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

History of U.S. Printing Industry from Colonial days til the American Revolution

From Front Jacket: "There are very few books of a historical nature which deserve republication after 160 years of existence. Isiah Thomas's 'History of Printing in America' is one of them. His book is still in the beginning point for most investigations into the history of American printing, for he provides the tantalizing clues from which his successors have built their own studies. Further, his personal knowledge of many of the people and events which he describes in frank and unadorned manner makes excellent and often amusing reading. 'The History of Printing in America' retains the essential beginnings which lead the reader into fascinating byways of American history and the craft which in such large measure perpetuated it. [this book] first appeared in 1810 and was based on Thomas's long fascination with his trade as well as upon his very extensive library of books and newspapers which he had collected to prepare such a history." ****** Extracts from Original Preface by Author: 'Amidst the darkness which surrounds the discovery of many of the arts, it has been ascertained that it is practicable to trace the 'Introduction' and progress of Printing, in the northern part of America, to the period of the revolution.... It is true, that in the course of 50 years, during which I have been intimately connected with the art [of printing], I became acquainted with many of its respectable professors; some of whom had, long before me, been engaged in business. From them I received information respecting the transactions and events which occurred in their own time, and also concerning those of which they received the details from their predecessors. By these means I have been enabled to record many circumstances and events which must soon have been buried in oblivion.... Through the politeness of various gentlemen, I have had access to the ancient MS. records of the counties of Middlesex and Suffolk, in Massachusetts, where Printing was first introduced to this country; to those of the colony of Massachusetts, and of the university of Cambridge; and, also, to those of the United New England Colonies; all of the 17th century; - likewise, to the records of several of the southern states; and, to many of the principal libraries in different parts of the United States. From these documents and institutions I have obtained much valuable intelligence. The biographical sketches of printers are principally confined to their professional concerns, and to such events as are connected with them. Newspapers are placed in the proper order of succession, or agreeably to the periods in which they were established in the various cities, towns, & c. From the settlement of the country to the establishment of the independence of the U.S., few Printers, and not many Newspapers, have, I believe, escaped my observation; From the consideration that the press, and particularly the newspapers to which it gave birth, had a powerful influence in pro