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[Illustration: THE HISTORY OF THE CATNACH PRESS, AND THE TWO CATNACHS, JOHN & JAMES, FATHER & SON, _Printers_, 1769-1841.]
Only Two Hundred and Fifty Printed. Each Copy numbered and Signed
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_on the ___________ day of ____________ 18_____
THE HISTORY OF THE CATNACH PRESS, AT BERWICK-UPON-TWEED, ALNWICK AND NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, IN NORTHUMBERLAND, AND SEVEN DIALS, LONDON.
_Editor of "The Old Book Collector's Miscellany; or, a Collection of Readable Reprints of Literary Rarities," "Works of John Taylor--the Water Poet," "The Roxburghe Ballads," "The Catnach Press," "The Curiosities of Street Literature," "The Book of Ready Made Speeches," "Life and Times of James Catnach, late of the Seven Dials, Ballad Monger," "Tavern Anecdotes and Sayings," "A History of the Cries of London--Ancient and Modern," etc._
London: CHARLES HINDLEY [THE YOUNGER,] BOOKSELLERS' ROW, ST. CLEMENT DANES, STRAND, W.C. 1886.
TO MR. GEORGE SKELLY, of THE MARKET PLACE, and MR. GEORGE H. THOMPSON, of BAILIFFGATE, ALNWICK, _In the County of_ NORTHUMBERLAND, THE HISTORY OF THE CATNACH PRESS.
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR
_St. James' Street, Brighton. Lady Day, 1886._
A Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties.]
"'Tis education forms the common mind; Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined."--_Pope._
----There can be little doubt that Jemmy Catnach, the printer, justly earned the distinction of being one of the great pioneers in the cause of promoting cheap literature--he was for a long time the great Mæcenas and Elzevir of the Seven Dials district. We do not pretend to say that the productions which emanated from his establishment contained much that was likely to enlighten the intellect, or sharpen the taste of the ordinary reader; but, to a great extent, they served well in creating an impetus in the minds of many to soar after things of a higher and more ennobling character. Whilst for the little folk his store was like the conjuror's bag--inexhaustible. He could cater to the taste and fancies of all, and it is marvellous, even in these days of a cheap press, to look back upon the time when this enterprising man was by a steady course of action, so paving the way for that bright day in the annals of Britain's history, when every child in the land should be educated.