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CHAPTER XIX.

Private Presses.

A BOOK privately printed" is one that is circulated gratuitously by the author, or at any rate not "published" for sale. Most of these books are printed by professional typographers, but some, though comparatively speaking only a few, have issued from private presses, established by amateurs, who have personally superintended the production of their works. Private presses have of late years always been in the hands of dilettanti with unlimited means and plenty of time at their disposal, and, from their nature, are necessarily limited in number.

Auchinleck Press was founded at Auchinleck House in Dumfriesshire, the seat of Sir Alexander Boswell, the son of James Boswell, the biographer of Dr. Johnson. The first work printed by Sir Alexander was entitled the "Tyrant's Fall," 1815, 8vo, and consists of a pamphlet of five pages. TheFrondes Caducæ " was reprinted in 1816, 1817, and 1818, all in 4to. This press had only a short life of three years, 1815-18.

Beldornie Press, established at Beldornie Tower in the Isle of Wight, by Edward Utterson, in 1840. Sixteen works issued from the press, which ceased to exist in 1843.

Darlington Press, established by George Allan about the year 1775. The productions of this press are of an exceedingly miscellaneous character, consisting of ballads, election squibs, inscriptions on monuments, legal documents, notices to people trespassing on Mr. Allan's grounds, and even

a single sheet, in 4to, on the dimensions and weight of a fat ox bred near Darlington. A tract, entitled "Of the Patagonians," is, however, scarce; 1788, Darlington, 4to. The principal productions are topographical, and some of these are both useful, interesting, and valuable.

Hafod Press, established in 1803 by Mr. Johnes, at Hafod in Cardiganshire, from whence issued the Chronicles of Froissart, Monstrelet, and Joinville.

Kelmscott Press, founded by Mr. William Morris in 1891, at Hammersmith Mall. Up to date (September, 1891) a single work has issued from this press, viz., "The Story of the Glittering Plain," published at £2 2s. The present value is about double, though no copies have so far been sold by auction in London.

Lee Priory Press. This famous printing establishment was instituted by Johnson and Warwick, at Ickham, near Canterbury, in the year 1813. From this date to 1822 the proprietors printed 52 works and some 110 single leaves; but in no instance were more than 100 copies of each struck off, and in most cases a very much less number. Sir Egerton Brydges edited nearly all the works that issued from the press.

Middle Hill Press, established at the seat of Sir Thomas Phillipps in Worcestershire in the year 1819, turned out an immense quantity of pamphlets and single leaves. The principal subjects treated of are genealogical, heraldic, and antiquarian literature.

Strawberry Hill Press, perhaps the most famous of any, was founded by Horace Walpole at his house at Twickenham. The first work printed is entitled "Two Odes to Mr. Gray," 4to, 1757, and the last, "Bishop Bonner's Ghost," 4to, 1789. There are many detached pieces in folio, 4to, 8vo, and infra.