1830.] Memoir of W. Bulmer, Esq. MEMOIR OF WILLIAM BULMER, ESQ. THE With a Portrait. HE name of BULMER is associated with all that is correct and beautiful in Typography. By him the art was matured, and brought to its present high state of perfection. In our last number it was our painful duty to record the death of this worthy individual: we must now be allowed to dilate on his merits as a printer some. what at large. This celebrated typographer was a native of Newcastle on Tyne, where he was apprenticed to Mr. Thompson, in the Burnt House Entry, St. Nicholas' Church-yard, from whom he reIceived the first rudiments of his art. During his apprenticeship he formed a friendship with Thomas Bewick, the celebrated engraver on wood, which lasted with great cordiality throughout life. It was their practice whilst youths to visit together every morning a farmhouse at Elswick, a small village about two miles from Newcastle, and indulge in Goody Coxen's hot rye-cake and butter-milk, who used to prepare these dainties for such of the Newcastle youths who were inclined to enjoy an early morning walk before the business of the day commenced. During the period of the joint ap prenticeships of these young aspirants for fame, Bulmer invariably took off the first impressions of Bewick's blocks, at his master's printing-office at Newcastle, where Bulmer printed the engraving of the Huntsman and Old Hound, which obtained for Bewick the premium from the Society of Arts in London. Mr. Bulmer afterwards suggested to his friend Bewick an improvement, of which he availed himself, of lowering the surfaces of the blocks where the distance or lighter parts of the engraving were to be shown to perfection. When Mr. Bulmer first came to London, his services were engaged by Mr. John Bell, who was then publishing his beautiful miniature editions of the Poets, Shakspeare, &c. About 1787, an accidental circumstance introduced Mr. Bulmer to the late Geo. Nicol, esq. bookseller to King George III. who was then considering the best method of carrying into effect the projected magnificent nationa! edition of Shakspeare, which he had suggested GENT. MAG. October, 1880. -305 to Messrs. Boydell, ornamented with designs by the first artists of this country. Mr. Nicol had previously engaged the skilful talents of Mr. Wm. Martin, of Birmingham, in cutting sets of types, after approved models, in imitation of the sharp and fine letter used by the French and Italian printers; which Mr. Nicol for a length of time caused to be carried on in his own house. Premises were then engaged in Cleveland-row, St. James's, and the "Shakspeare Press " was established under the firm of "W. Bulmer and Co." This establishment soon evinced how judicious a choice Mr. Nicol had made in Mr. Bulmer to raise the reputation of his favourite project. "This magnificent edition (says Dr. Dibdin), which is worthy of the unrivalled compositions of our great Dramatic Bard, will remain as long as those compositions shall be admired, an honourable testimony of the taste and skill of the individuals who planned and conducted it to its completion. The text was revised by G. Steevens and Isaac Reed. Mr. Bulmer possessed the proof sheets of the whole work, on which are many curious remarks by Steevens, not always of the most courteous description; also some original sonnets, a scene for a burlesque tra gedy, some graphic sketches, &c." "The establishment of the Shakspeare Press (continues Dr. Dibdin), was unquestionably an honour both to the founders in particular, and to the public at large. Our greatest poet, our greatest painter, and two of our most respectable publishers and printers, were all embarked in one common cause; were generally and jointly amalgamated, as it were, in one common white-hot crucible; from which issued so pure and brilliant a flame or fusion, that it gladdened all eyes and hearts, and threw a new and revivifying lustre on the threefold arts of painting, engraving, and printing. The nation appeared to be not less struck than astonished; and our venerable Monarch George the Third, felt anxious not only to give such a magnificent establishment every degree of royal support, but, infected with the matrix and puncheon mania, he had even contemplated the creation of a royal printing office within the walls of his own palace!" 306 Memoir of W. Bulmer, Esq. One of his Majesty's principal hopes and wishes was, for his own country to rival the celebrity of Parma in the productions of Bodoni; and Dr. Dibdin pleasantly alludes to what he calls the Bodoni Hum,-of "his Majesty being completely and joyfully taken in, by bestowing upon the efforts of Mr. Bulmer's press, that eulogy which he had supposed was due exclusively to Bodoni's." The first number of the Shakspeare appeared in January 1791; and at once established Mr. Bulmer's fame as the first practical printer of the day. Dr. Dibdin has given (Bibliographical Decameron, ii. 384-395,) a curious and copious list of the "Books printed at the Shakspeare Press," with judicious remarks, to which we must refer our readers; contenting ourselves with noticing some of the articles, chiefly those not printed for general sale. 1. Auli Persii Flacci Satyre, with Brewster's translation, 1790, 4to. This we believe to be the first publication of Mr. Bulmer's press. It never was published. 2. The Shakspeare, 9 vols. folio, 1791-1805, before noticed. 3. Contemplatio Philosophica, a posthumous work of the late Brook Taylor, with his Life, by his relative the late Sir W. Young, Bart. 1793, 8vo, privately printed. 4. Claudiani Opera, 1793-6, small 8vo, never published. One copy ON VELLUM. 5. Next to the Shakspeare, perhaps the Edition of The Poetical Works of John Milton, in 3 vols. folio, 17931797, is the finest production of Mr. Bulmer's press. Dr. Dibdin seems to prefer this work even to the Shakspeare itself. 6. In 1795 Mr. Bulmer printed a beautiful edition in 4to. of the" Poems of Goldsmith and Parnell," one copy on WHITE SATIN, and three on VELLUM. The volume is dedicated to the Founders of the Shakspeare PrintingOffice, Messrs. Boydells and Nicol. "The present volume," says Mr. Bulmer, in his Advertisement, in addition to the SHAKSPEARE, the MILTON, and many other valuable works of elegance, which have already been given to the world, through the medium of the Shakspeare Press, are [is] particularly meant to combine the va [Oct. rious beauties of PRINTING,_TypeFOUNDING, ENGRAVING, and PAPERMAKING; as well with a view to ascertain the near approach to perfection which those arts have attained in this country, as to invite a fair competition with the best Typographical productions of other nations. How far the different artists, who have contributed their exertions to this great object, have succeeded in the attempt, the public will now be fully able to judge. Much pains have been bestowed on the present publication, to render it a complete Specimen of the Arts of Type and Block-printing. "The whole of the Types with which this work has been printed, are executed by Mr. William Martin, in the house of my friend Mr. George Nicol, whose unceasing endeavours to improve the Art of Printing, and its relative branches, are too well known to require any thing to be said on the patronized Mr. Martin, a very ingepresent occasion; he has particularly nious young Artist, who has resided with him seven years, and who is at this time forming a Foundery, by which he will shortly be enabled to offer to the world a Specimen of Types, that will in a very eminent degree unite utility, elegance, and beauty.* "The ornaments are all engraved on blocks of wood, by two of my earliest acquaintances, Messrs. Bewicks,t of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and London, after designs from the most interesting passages of the Poems they embellish. They have been executed with great care, and I may venture to say, without being supposed to be inAluenced by ancient friendship, that they form the most extraordinary effort of the art of engraving upon wood, that ever was produced in any age, or * William Martin was brother of Robert Martin, the apprentice of Baskerville. He afterwards set up a foundry in Duke-street, St. James's. His Roman and Italic types were decided imitations of Baskerville's; but his Greeks and Orientals formed the most valuable part of his collection. His foundry in 1817 was united to the Caslon. (Hanletter-founder died in the summer of 1815, sard's Typographia, p. 360.) This ingenious and was buried in St. James's Church, Westminster. Bewick, the elder brother, with a portrait, + See a good memoir of Mr. Thomas in vol. XCIX. pt. i. pp. 17, 132. 1830.] Memoir of W. Bulmer, Esq. any country. Indeed, it seems almost impossible that such delicate effects could be obtained from blocks of wood.* "Of the Paper it is only necessary to say, that it comes from the manufactory of Mr. Whatman." The chief wood-engravings in this beautiful volume are the following: The Traveller, T. Bewick sculp.; The Sad Historian, John Bewick del, and sculp.; The Departure, R. Johnson del. T. Bewick sculp.; The Hermit at his Morning Devotion, R. Johnson del. T. Bewick sculp.; The Hermit, Angel, and Guide, R. Johnson del. T. Bewick sculp. Besides the above, the work was embellished with eight very superior vignettes.-The biographical Sketches of Goldsmith and Parnell, prefixed to the work, were by Isaac Reed. -This volume was highly appreciated by the public; two editions of it in quarto were sold, and they produced a profit to the ingenious printer, after payment of all his expenses, of fifteen hundred pounds. 7. Stimulated by the great success of the work, Mr. Bulmer, in 1796, was induced to prepare an embellished quarto edition of Somerville's Chase." Three copies were printed ON VELLUM. It is thus dedicated, "To the Patrons of fine Printing:" "When the exertions of an individual to improve his profession are crowned with success, it is certainly the highest gratification his feelings can experience. The very distinguished approbation that attended the publication of the ornamented edition of Goldsmith's Traveller, Deserted Village, and Parnell's Hermit, which was last year offered to the public, as a specimen of the improved state of Typography in this country, demands my warmest acknowledgments; and is no less satisfactory to the different artists who contributed their efforts towards the completion of the work. "The Chase, by Somerville, is now given as a companion to. Goldsmith; and it is almost superfluous to observe, that the subjects which ornament the present volume, being entirely composed of landscape, scenery, and animals, It is said that his Majesty George III. entertained so great a doubt on the subject, that he ordered his bookseller, Mr. George Nicol, to procure the blocks from Mr. Bulmer for his inspection, that he might convince himself of the fact. 307 are adapted, above all others, to display the beauties of wood engraving. Unfortunately for his friends, and the admirers of the art of engraving on wood, I have the painful task of announcing the death of my early acquaintance and friend, the younger Mr. [John] Bewick. He died at Ovingham, on the banks of the Tyne, in December last [1795], of a pulmonary complaint. Previously, however, to his departure from London for the place of his nativity, he had prepared, and indeed finished on wood, the whole of the designs, except one, which embellish the Chace; they may therefore literally be considered as the last efforts of this ingenious and much-to-be-lamented artist. "In executing the engravings, his brother, Mr. Thomas Bewick, has bestowed every possible care; and the beautiful effect produced from their joint labours will, it is presumed, fully meet the approbation of the subscribers." "The Chase" is embellished with twelve uncommonly fine cuts, all drawn on the block by Mr. John Bewick, and engraved by his brother Thomas, and may perhaps be considered as chefsd'oeuvre of those celebrated engravers on wood."-The biographical sketch of Somerville was by Isaac Reed. In 1804 the above two works were reprinted in one octavo volume, by Mr. Bulmer, with the same embellishments, for Messrs. Cadell and Davies, who had purchased the blocks. 8. Odes, English and Latin, 1798 [by T. J. Mathias, esq.], sm. 8vo. not published. Mr. Bulmer printed several other publications on Italian literature, for Mr. Mathias. 9. Muscum Worsleyanum, 1798-1803, 2 vols. fol. English and Italian. Sir R. Worsley expended 27,000l. on this work, which was never published. 400/. has been given for a copy at a book-sale. 10. Dissertation on the Greek Games. 4to. 1800, with engravings. [By James Christie.] 11. The Father's Revenge, a Tragedy, and other Poems, by the Earl of Carlisle. 1800, 4to. Not published. 12. The Passage of Mount St. Gothard, a Poem, by the Duchess of Devonshire, with an Italian translation by Sig. Poliodori. Privately printed. 13. Anacreontis Odaria, Greek, à E. Forster, A. M. 1802. Ornamented 15. The Itinerary of Abp. Baldwin through Wales, 2 vols. 4to. Translated by Sir R. C. Hoare; illustrated with views drawn by Sir Richard, and engraved by Byrne, 2 vols. 4to. This publication is in every respect admirable. 16. A Tract on the Architecture of Wales. By Sir R. C. Hoare and John Carter. Only 20 copies for private circulation, 1806. [This tract has recently been reprinted for sale. See p. 237.1 17. A Disquisition on Etruscan Vases, 1806 [by James Christie]. Small folio, with engravings, privately printed. 18. Bentleii et doctorum virorum Epistolæ, à Rev. Car. Burney, 1807, 4to. Privately printed. 150 large, and 50 small copies. 19. Prolegomena in Homerum, &c. à R. P. Knight, 1808, 8vo. Privately printed; 50 copies. 20. Memoir of the Life of the late Duke of Devonshire, 1811, sm. 4to. Privately printed; 25 copies. 21. History of Ancient Wiltshire, by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Bart. 4 vols. folio. 22. A Catalogue of Books relating to the History and Topography of Italy, collected 1786--1790. 8vo. 1812. By Sir R. C. Hoare, Bart. privately printed. Only 12 copies. This valuable collection of topography has since been given by the public-spirited Baronet to the British Museum. 23. Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Barrè Charles Roberts, 1813, 4to. privately printed. 24. Translation of the Andria of Terence, 1814, sm. 8vo. By a wellknown Baronet; privately printed. Eight copies on Imperial 4to. 25. Life of Lord Viscount Barring ton: 1814, 4to. By his brother, Shute Bp. of Durham. Privately printed; 100 copies. This was reprinted in 8vo. in 1815. 26. William of Malmesbury, trans lated by Rev. John Sharpe, 4to. 1815. Only 57 on large paper. 27. A Catalogue of Books relating to the History and Topography of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland; 1815, 8vo. 25 copies; only six of which were on LARGE PAPER. 28. Portraits of the Sovereigns of the Turkish Empire, with biographical sketches in French and English; large folio. By John Young, esq. This work was at the expense of the Sultan Selim, and the whole impression was sent to the Ottoman Court. 29. The Antiquities of the Arabs in Spain, by Cavannah Murphy, 1816, large folio. This herculean folio rivals Denon's Egypt, in nobleness of design, splendour of execution, and richness. of material. 30. The History of the Arabs in Spain, &c. 4to. 1816. This volume is a companion to the above. 31. The Typographical Antiquities of Great Britain, by T. F. Dibdin. Vols. II. III. and IV. The union of the red and black inks, the proportioned spaces, and the boldness and singularity of the cuts, render these books very beautiful of their kind. 32. Bibliotheca Spenceriuna, 4 vols. 8vo. This work, considering the bulk of the volumes, and the quantity of matter introduced, is perhaps the most brilliant bibliographical production in existence, on the score of mere typographical excellence. Only 55 copies were struck off upon LARGE PAPER, in royal 4to., eight of which were reserved by Earl Spencer for presents. Upon the completion of this work, carried on without intermission for nearly four years, the printer presented Dr. Dibdiu with a richly-wrought silver cup, of an antique form. (See Bibliographical Decameron, II. p. 394.) 33. The Bibliographical Decameron; by T. F. Dibdin. Of all the works executed at the Shakspeare Press, the present is acknowledged to be the most eminently successful in the development of all the skill and beauty attached to the art of printing. Mr. Hansard (vide postea) has not overpraised its excellence on this score. Never was such a variety of ornament— in the way of wood-cuts and red and black ink-exhibited. The quantity of matter, by way of note, is perhaps. no where exceeded, in a performance which unites splendour of execution with curiosity of detail. The paper is |