22-545: The Leadenhall Press was founded by Andrew White Tuer (1838–1900), and originated as the publishing arm of the Field & Tuer partnership in London. This development followed their 1868 relocation to 50 Leadenhall Street. Initially founded in 1862, the firm began as job printers, stationers, and manufacturers when Tuer teamed up with Abraham Field (1830–1891), known for producing registers and log books. A significant early achievement
44-413: A box, or rather two books and a box, and yet after all not a box at all, but a book and only one book." The catalogue as a whole reflected Tuer's energetic and whimsical nature and his interest in antiquarian subjects, including London history and early children's books. However, Tuer was also an experimenter, and some books were ahead of their time in content, design, and printing. Under his stewardship,
66-441: A clean, vegetable-based alternative to the gums and glues then in use. He later introduced the popular Author's Paper Pad, perhaps the first writing block with detachable sheets. In 1867, Tuer married Thomasine Louisa Louttit, who became well known as an amateur opera singer. The following year, Field & Tuer moved to 50 Leadenhall Street , and the expansion allowed Tuer to pursue his publishing ambitions. In 1872, Tuer introduced
88-445: A heavy wooden frame with a screw mechanism , enabling the even application of pressure to inked type and paper. Gutenberg's printing press accelerated the production of books, leading to the spread of knowledge and the democratization of information. In the following centuries, printing presses underwent significant advancements. In the 18th century, the steam-powered press was introduced, enabling higher print volumes. Subsequently,
110-562: A literary advisor, writing and editing several books under the pseudonym 'John Oldcastle,’ and the Press published the first books by Jerome K. Jerome . Other authors included Andrew Lang , Egyptologist W. M. Flinders Petrie , Lady Florence Dixie (feminist sister of the infamous Marquess of Queensberry ), Max O'Rell , Louis Fagan of the British Museum, J. A. Fuller Maitland , Grant Allen , and Count Eric Stenbock . Oscar Wilde appeared in
132-506: A scheme aimed at improving the quality of the printing trade at all levels. In 1880, after two years of planning, Field & Tuer introduced the Printers' International Specimen Exchange , whereby printers and their employees and apprentices could submit multiple samples of their work and receive back a volume containing a copy of every specimen accepted. Tuer published and edited the Exchange for
154-405: A wide range of subjects for all tastes. Although the less expensive (and less well made) editions of some titles could be plain and undistinguished, great care was given to the design and printing of many of the series books that were issued only in inexpensive formats. The Leadenhall Press published many prominent (and also many forgotten) writers and artists of the time. Wilfrid Meynell acted as
176-474: The Industrial Revolution brought forth the development of cylinder presses , powered by steam or mechanized systems. These presses could print thousands of pages per hour, marking a substantial leap in production capabilities. In the late 19th century, the introduction of offset lithography revolutionized the printing industry. This technique used a flat metal plate with an image to transfer ink to
198-478: The Leadenhall Press became an innovative force during the 1880s, issuing as many as 40 books a year: including trade titles for as little as sixpence, as well as limited editions costing several guineas. Although perhaps best known today for children's book reprints, chapbook revivals illustrated by Joseph Crawhall, and several productions of Tuer's own works; the Leadenhall Press catalogue included publications on
220-433: The Leadenhall Press went on to issue more than 450 publications of all kinds on a wide variety of subjects by many prominent authors and illustrators of the time, ranging in price from sixpence to several guineas for special limited editions. In 1891, Abraham Field died, and the following year the firm was incorporated as Leadenhall Press Ltd. Publishing continued throughout the nineties, and one of Tuer's most important works
242-574: The firm's trade publication, Paper & Printing Trades Journal , as "Ye Leadenhall Workes." Field & Tuer occasionally printed books for other publishers and published sporadically beginning in 1869, but it was not until ten years later that the first official book in the Leadenhall Press catalogue appeared, titled Tuer's own Luxurious Bathing . The following year, Tuer launched the influential Printers' International Specimen Exchange , an annual survey collection of examples printed and submitted by printers and their employees. Under Tuer's guidance,
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#1732851291789264-481: The first eight years. In 1879, the first official book of its new imprint, the Leadenhall Press , appeared: Tuer’s own Luxurious Bathing , a treatise on the joys of hygiene, with etchings by Sutton Sharpe. From this point on, Scribner was the firm's U.S. import partner. The second edition was issued the following year in a smaller format with etchings by Tristram Ellis . Tuer's passion for collecting soon led to
286-444: The mid-15th century with the invention of the printing press. Johannes Gutenberg , a German goldsmith , is credited with developing movable type in the 1450s. His printing press incorporated various innovative techniques, such as individual metal letter blocks and an oil-based ink, enabling faster and more efficient book production. Gutenberg's press set the foundation for subsequent developments in printing technology. It comprised
308-720: The most varied description". Tuer's wife was Thomasine Louisa . They had no children. Mrs. Tuer's godson was the Cambridge historian J. P. T (John Patrick Tuer) Bury, who wrote articles about Tuer for the Book Collector and the Bookplate Journal . Printer (publisher) In publishing, printers are both companies providing printing services and individuals who directly operate printing presses . The history of printers in publishing in Western Europe dates back to
330-650: The poetry collection A Book of Jousts in 1888, and his mother, Lady Jane Wilde contributed to the periodical Bairns' Annual . The Press quickly earned a reputation for excellence in reproducing art; the first edition of Songs of the North (1885) included works by Burne-Jones , Whistler , and Frederick Sandys , among others. In addition to Joseph Crawhall, other artists who illustrated Leadenhall Press books included Randolph Caldecott , Georgie Gaskin , Tristram Ellis , William Luker Jr., and Punch cartoonists Phil May , Charles Keene and Linley Sambourne . In 1892, after
352-479: The quarterly Paper & Printing Trades Journal , intended as a "Medium of Intercommunication Between Stationers, Printers, Publishers and Booksellers." Tuer later served on the committee of the Caxton Celebration of 1877 commemorating the 400th anniversary of the introduction of printing into England, in charge of Class E: Specimens of Printing. After that event, Tuer and fellow printer Thomas Hailing began
374-413: The retirement and death of Abraham Field, the company was incorporated as The Leadenhall Press, Ltd. Fewer books were published during the 1890s, but the quality remained high, often reflecting Tuer's antiquarian and collecting interests. Publishing operations ceased a few years after Tuer’s death in 1900, when the Press reverted largely to its original job printing and stationery business until 1927, when it
396-566: The two-volume Bartolozzi and his Works , with a biographical account, information on how to date impressions and identify deceptions, and a list of over 2,000 engravings. In 1884, Tuer published a collection of printers' jokes from the pages of the Paper & Printing Trades Journal , titled Quads within Quads , consisting of a midget folio housed in a block of extra pages at the back of a duodecimo "enlarged edition." The prospectus described it as "A book and
418-499: Was Tuer's invention of Stickphast Paste, a vegetable-based adhesive. It rapidly became a staple in offices, and its production continued under various owners well into the mid-20th century. Profits from this and other inventions allowed Tuer, to pursue his publishing ambitions. From the beginning, the Leadenhall Press output reflected his imagination, curiosity, and interest in the full range of printing and book production techniques. The Leadenhall Press imprint first appeared in 1872 in
440-463: Was dissolved following the death of Mrs. Tuer. Between 1879 and 1905, the Leadenhall Press issued over 400 titles, not counting several different editions of some books. Andrew White Tuer Andrew White Tuer (1838–1900) was a British publisher, writer and printer . He was born in Sunderland in 1838. Orphaned at an early age, he was raised by his great-uncle, Andrew White, after whom he
462-400: Was named. After his education, he went to London with the plan of becoming a doctor, but that did not suit him, and after working in a merchant's office, he set himself up as a wholesale stationer. In 1862, he joined with Abraham Field, an established producer of ledgers, in the partnership of Field & Tuer. Tuer, the entrepreneur of the pair, invented the highly successful Stickphast Paste,
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#1732851291789484-877: Was published in the 1896: History of the Horn-Book (still the best study of the subject). Tuer died of pleurisy on 24 February 1900 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery . In its obituary of 5 March, the Pall Mall Gazette wrote: “London publishing is the poorer in high spirits and humour by the death of Mr. Andrew Tuer. In all his doings he was mirthful, and he gave readers several very excellent books.” The Dictionary of National Biography describes him as an "omnivorous collector", who filled his house in Campden Hill Road Notting Hill with "books, engravings, clocks, china, silver and bric-a-brac of
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