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A History of the Cambridge University Press, 1521-1921Roberts, S. C. (Sydney Castle)

History

A History of the Cambridge University Press, 1521-1921

Name: A History of the Cambridge University Press, 1521-1921
Author: Roberts, S. C. (Sydney Castle)

Roberts, S. C. (Sydney Castle)

Cambridge University Press -- Bibliography; Cambridge University Press -- History

It is not my desire (he wrote in the preface to his _Milton_,
 1757) to print many books, but such only as are books of
 Consequence, and which the public may be pleased to see in an
 elegant dress, and to purchase at such a price as will repay
 the extraordinary care and expense that must necessarily be
 bestowed upon them.... If this performance shall appear to persons
 of judgment and penetration in the Paper, Letter, Ink, and
 Workmanship to excel; I hope their approbation may contribute to
 procure for me what would indeed be the extent of my Ambition, a
 power to print an Octavo Common-Prayer Book, and a Folio Bible.

This ambition was fulfilled by Baskerville's getting into touch
with the university. In 1757 he sent a specimen of type to a friend
at Cambridge, explaining that

 the size is calculated for people who begin to want Spectacles but
 are ashamed to use them at Church.... If I find favour with the
 University, & they give me a Grant to print an Edition of a prayer
 book according to the specimen I would ... send to Cambridge two
 presses, Workmen & all other requisites, but should be glad to
 take the chance of the Edition to my self, & make the University
 such Considerations as they should think fit to prescribe.... My
 highest Ambition is to print a folio Bible, with the same letter
 of the inclosed Specimen.

[Illustration: JOHN BASKERVILLE]

The application was successful and on 15 December, 1758, an
agreement was made with the university by which Baskerville was
to have leave to print a folio bible and two octavo common-prayer
books, and on the following day Baskerville was duly elected to be
"one of the Stationers & Printers" of the university for ten years,
securities for £500 each being given by Baskerville himself and by
John Eaves, a toymaker of Birmingham.

The conditions imposed upon the new printer were strict: he was to
print in Cambridge only such books as the Syndics gave him leave
to print; on the title-page of no other book was he to describe
himself as Printer to the University; inspectors appointed by
the Syndics were to have free access to his printing-office; and
Baskerville was to pay the university £20 for every 1000 of the 8vo
common-prayer. On 31 May, 1759, Baskerville wrote from Birmingham
to the Vice-Chancellor:

  Sir,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

A History of the Cambridge University Press, 1521-1921Roberts, S. C. (Sydney Castle)

History

A History of the Cambridge University Press, 1521-1921

Roberts, S. C. (Sydney Castle)

Cambridge University Press -- Bibliography; Cambridge University Press -- History

It is not my desire (he wrote in the preface to his _Milton_,
 1757) to print many books, but such only as are books of
 Consequence, and which the public may be pleased to see in an
 elegant dress, and to purchase at such a price as will repay
 the extraordinary care and expense that must necessarily be
 bestowed upon them.... If this performance shall appear to persons
 of judgment and penetration in the Paper, Letter, Ink, and
 Workmanship to excel; I hope their approbation may contribute to
 procure for me what would indeed be the extent of my Ambition, a
 power to print an Octavo Common-Prayer Book, and a Folio Bible.

This ambition was fulfilled by Baskerville's getting into touch
with the university. In 1757 he sent a specimen of type to a friend
at Cambridge, explaining that

 the size is calculated for people who begin to want Spectacles but
 are ashamed to use them at Church.... If I find favour with the
 University, & they give me a Grant to print an Edition of a prayer
 book according to the specimen I would ... send to Cambridge two
 presses, Workmen & all other requisites, but should be glad to
 take the chance of the Edition to my self, & make the University
 such Considerations as they should think fit to prescribe.... My
 highest Ambition is to print a folio Bible, with the same letter
 of the inclosed Specimen.

[Illustration: JOHN BASKERVILLE]

The application was successful and on 15 December, 1758, an
agreement was made with the university by which Baskerville was
to have leave to print a folio bible and two octavo common-prayer
books, and on the following day Baskerville was duly elected to be
"one of the Stationers & Printers" of the university for ten years,
securities for £500 each being given by Baskerville himself and by
John Eaves, a toymaker of Birmingham.

The conditions imposed upon the new printer were strict: he was to
print in Cambridge only such books as the Syndics gave him leave
to print; on the title-page of no other book was he to describe
himself as Printer to the University; inspectors appointed by
the Syndics were to have free access to his printing-office; and
Baskerville was to pay the university £20 for every 1000 of the 8vo
common-prayer. On 31 May, 1759, Baskerville wrote from Birmingham
to the Vice-Chancellor:

  Sir,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

A History of the Cambridge University Press, 1521-1921

A History of the Cambridge University Press, 1521-1921

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