Add MS 5151

Collections for a history of printing in England, Scotland and Ireland, by Joseph Ames, Esq. being the original papers, letters & memoranda, from which his work, intitled ‘Typographical antiquities’ was compiled, 4to, Lond. 1749. Purchased at the sale of M. C. Tutet, Esq. in 1786. In folio, ff. 368. The contents of this volume may be thus described:

1. Collections for the history of printing in England from 1474 to 1600, all in the hand writing of Ames, except a note by Herbert at the end; ff. 1-89.

2. Similar collections for the history of printing at Westminster and London, by W. de Worde, 1491-1534, in Ames’s writing, with a few notes by Herbert; ff. 90-126.

3. Similar collections for the printing of Richard Pinson, 1493-1528, by the same; ff. 127-145.

4. Similar collections for the history of printing at Oxford and Cambridge, by the same; with a few notes by Herbert, and others; ff. 146-157.

5. Similar collections for the history of printing in Scotland, by the same, with a letter from Mr. Ames to James Watson (?) of Edinburgh, requesting him to correct them. Dated 14 Feb. 1743 and Watson’s corrections, in consequence (a copy from art. 13). ff. 158-173

6. List of foreign printers, disposed chronologically, with names of the books first printed by them, dates and places, from 1457 to 1548, in the hand writing of Mr. Herbert. ff. 174-178

7. Geographical account of the principal places in Europe, and when printing began in them; arranged alphabetically. ff. 179-203

8. Catalogue of English printers of the last and present century (written in 1741). f. 204

9. Copy of the amendments for the additional act for printing; f. 205

10. List of the sequestered clergy in Essex, and the cities of London & Westminster; from Newcourt’s Repertorium; ff. 207-209

11. Extract from MS Cotton Julius, F.VI.32 about libels and their authors, in Queen Elizabeth’s time; f. 211

12. A duplicate copy of the list of foreign printers, as art. 6. ff. 213-216

13. Collections for the history of printing in Scotland, from 1509-1600, in Ames’s hand writing, with some notes by Herbert; ff. 217-228

14. Notes respecting the wills of some English printers in the Prerogative Office; f. 230

15. Patent granted by Queen Mary to John Cawood. Dated 29 Dec. 1563 (from Rymer). Imperfect. f. 231

16. Patent of Antony Marlar to print the Bible. Dated 12 March, 1542 (From Rymer) f. 234

17. List of stationers to whom Philip and Mary granted a charter, 4 May, 1557. f. 235

18. List of Acts of Parliament relative to books; f. 236

19. An account of the ancient manner of writing. f. 237

20. Of the first public library at oxford and the Bodleian Library; f. 239

21. The state of Bible printing as it has been of late and is now in England (in Ames’ hand). f. 242

22. Letter from John Fell, Bishop of Oxford to the Archbishop of Canterbury about the same (n.d.) from MSS Tanner. f. 243

23. Letter from John Wallis to the same, on the same, on the same subject. Dated 15 April, 1684. From MSS Tanner. f. 244

24. Notes respecting books printed by Thomas Godfray. f. 246

25. A printed sheet of Warburton’s History of the Roman wall , with MS alterations by the author; also the original draft of the prospectus of the above work, and preface (imperf.) all in Warburton’s hand writing. ff. 247, 248, 251-261

26. Copy of a letter from ---- to Mr. Ames, respecting a passage in Ld. Herbert, concerning Cardinal Wolsey’s dislike of printing; as also about Lord Oxford’s collection of MSS, and an edition of Chaucer by Rev. Mr Morell. Dated Lond.19 Aug. 1711 (in Ames’s writing). f. 249

27. Note of the establishment of the Stationers Company, and interference of the Star Chamber (in Ames’s writing from Strype?). f. 262

28. Fair copy of a small portion of Ames’s Collections of the history of printing. ff. 263-269

29. List of works printed by W. de Worde. ff. 270-287

30. Collections for a history of printing by A Notary, &c. ff. 288-297 [These form a part of the collections at the beginning of the vol. and have been improperly divided from them]

31. An Act for the abolishing divers books and images, 3 & 4. Edw. 6. 1549. f. 298

32. Extracts from Fox, touching books of Latin service being abolished 1549, and the injunctions set forth, 1539. ff. 299, 300

33. Proclamation of Philip and Mary, respecting heretical books, dated 13 June 1555. ff. 301-303

34. Copy of a dedication of Tho. Tallis and Wm. Bird to Queen Elizabeth; f. 304

35. Abstract of John Cawood’s Patent. f. 305

36. Privilege granted to John Palsgrave. Dated 2 Sept. 22.Hen.8. f. 307

37. Patent granted to Christopher Saxton. Dated 22 July 19.Eliz. f. 209

38. Familiar epistle from Tho. Preston to Mr. Ames, on general literary topics, account of mines in America &c. Dated Philadelphia, 15 Dec. 1755 (orig.). f. 311

39. Orig. letter from J. Snelling to the same. On the French manner of distinguishing their merits by the letters of the alphabet; from Le Blanc (M.D.). f. 313

40. Alphabetical and chronological lists of English printers, from 1471 to 1600 in Mr Ames’s writing; ff. 315-318

41. List of the persons to whom the Stationers’ Charter was granted (v. art. 17). f. 319

42. Letter from Mr Ames to his printer (n.d.). f. 320

43. Memoranda of books printed by Edw. Whitchurch; in Ames’s writing. f. 321

44. Of printing at Oxford (part of Art. 4). ff. 323,341

45. Memoranda of statutes relative to printing. f. 324

46. Two drafts (one original) of a dedication to Philip, Lord Chancellor Hardwicke, intended for Ames’s work. f. 325

47. Draft letter from Mr. Ames (?) to Mrs---. f. 327

48. Letter to Mr. Ames from Richard Rawlinson. Dated Jan. 11, 1754 (orig.). f. 328

49. Note by Richd. Rawlinson concerning a marginal inscription on marble, shewn to the Antiquarian Society, 13 Apr. 1749. Also of two MSS formerly belonging to Saml. Pepys, Esq. f. 330

50. Imperfect list of some English printers. ff. 331 b. 359

51. Notes of books printed by R. Pinson, by Ames, with an additional note by Herbert; f. 332

52. Imperfect list of subscribers to some work; f. 333

53. Draft of another dedication from Ames to Lord Chancellor Hardwicke; f. 336

54. Notes respecting printing at Greenwich, Waterford and Norwich, by Amers. f. 337

55. Biographical memoranda of Edmund Plowden; f. 340.b

56. Catalogues of English printers, chronological and alphabetical, from 1471 to 1600. ff. 342-347

57. Draft of part of Ames’s Preface to his work; ff. 249-251

58. Memoranda respecting Caxton, in Ames’s writing, nearly as in his work. ff. 352-355

59. Notes of contractions in old French, references to works

60. Extract from the Phil. Trans. vol. 49, respecting printing at Constantinople; f. 360

61. Extract from the same, no. 386, concerning the first work printed by Coster. f. 361

62. Notes from the will of W. de Worde, dated 5 June, 1534. f. 362

63. Draft letter from Mr Ames to Morris Johnson Esq. on the subject of printing. Dated 20 June, 1740. f. 363

64. Entries of Mr. Bagford’s Collections for a history of printing (now among the Harl. MSS). ff. 365-368