The Printers, Stationers and Bookbinders of Westminster and London

Dedication

TO
FRANCIS JOHN HENRY JENKINSON
IN REMEMBRANCE OF MUCH KINDNESS
AND MUCH PLEASANT WORK
IN CAMBRIDGE

Preface

The lectures contained in the present volume I delivered as Sandars Reader in two series, the first in the Lent Term 1899, the second in the May Term 1904 and they are thus separated by an interval of five years. Of the first series a small edition was privately printed for presentation, but never published, the second series is now printed for the first time. Though the second part forms a continuation of the first, the two are quite distinct. With the close of the fifteenth century many important changes took place in the English book-trade, and its conditions altered to a great extent, so that the period from 1476 to 1500 has many essential points of difference from the period between 1501 and 1535 and they can with advantage be treated separately. I have thought it best therefore not to attempt to combine the two series, but to issue them, with certain corrections and additions in their original form.

It remains to express my sincere thanks to Dr Jenkinson, the University Librarian who was kind enough to read the proofs, and to Mr H. G. Aldis to whom I am indebted for the excellent index.

E. G. D.

April, 1906.