Three Centuries of Dublin Printing

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PART III.** **

THREE CENTURIES OF DUBLIN PRINTING.**

First Book printed in Dublin - Printing in Dublin before and after the Union - Old Magazines and Newspapers - Belfast and Provincial Printers - Old Historic Printers and their Habitations - Printers’ Charter Song - The Foundation and Work of the Typographical Provident Society.

On Saturday (20th November, 1909)** **a banquet was given in the D.B.C. Restaurant, Lower O’Connell Street, Dublin, under the auspices of the Dublin Typographical Provident Society, in commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of the foundation of the organisation.

The following centennial address was delivered by Mr. Collins on the occasion:-

I desire to thank the members of the Centennial Celebration Committee for the honour of being associated with this evening’s celebration in connection with a society which is so closely allied with the fortunes, and, I may add, misfortunes of our country. The history of the Dublin Printing Trade is a most interesting and fascinating one, and to do the subject justice it requires the essentials which are unfortunately absent this evening.

In the first instance it needs one more eloquent and more familiar with the technical details of the printing trade than I am secondly, it requires a longer period than thirty minutes within which one has to narrate the story of the hundred years-I809 to 1909.** **However, I will do my best within the allotted span, and presume to give you what I may term tabloid views of that century.

By way of preface I wish publicly to thank Mr. Dix, the historian of early Dublin printing, for his kindness in loaning me for your inspection this evening some examples of early Dublin printing. I have secured specimens for 1609, 1709, and 1809**, **to cover three centuries.

The first volume, 1609, is the Book of Common Prayer in Irish; the translation of this into Irish, with the exception of the psalms, is by Dr. O’Donnell. The psalms were translated by John O’Kiernan. This was the fourth book printed from the Irish fount of type sent over by Queen Elizabeth in 1571. The book was printed by John Franck or Frampton, in this city. 1709**, specimens of Grierson and Rahams; 1760, prayer book printed in the Cloyster (Inns Quay); that of 1809 **by the Hibernian Press, Dublin.

To return to our immediate subject, and coming down to somewhat latter-day times, we take a snapshot view of the position of the Irish printing trade a few years before the founding of the society whose centenary we celebrate this evening. A writer, describing its condition about the year 1800, says:-

“When Dublin possessed a Parliament it had also a Press of its own. Its Acts and debates awakened the literature of the Law and the University, and party views and political interests excited the attention of and imparted a literary impulse to the public. … As the copyright of books was confined to Great Britain, the reprinting of smaller and cheaper editions became a considerable branch of trade in Dublin, and many works, respectable for their execution and correctness, thus republished, were exported to America and to other countries. Whilst the Act of Union was still pending, application was made by petition to the Irish Parliament to secure a continuance of that right so advantageous to the Irish Press; by the neglect or mismanagement of those who were to conduct the petition, it was lost, and nothing was effected.”

“Meanwhile the English printers, availing themselves immediately and effectively of the Act of Union, under the plausible pretence of securing to the Irish publisher the benefit of the Copyright Act, the English Act was extended to Ireland, which secured a nominal right that they well knew would be wholly unavailable in those days, with the trade at London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh in opposition to that of Dublin.”

A passing glance at the figures recording the condition of Dublin printing in 1800 is of interest. At that time there were in the city four newspapers, three monthly magazines, and no less than 39 master printers with working establishments.

On turning to Gilbert’s ” History of Dublin” we find the following reference to the Dublin Printing Trade:-

“After the restoration,” he writes, “the number of printers in Dublin rapidly increased, and in the middle of the last century the city could boast of many respectable and wealthy printers, but since the Union the amount of works printed in the metropolis of Ireland has decreased by about 8o per cent. This statement is verified by the figures of 1809.** **There was a decrease in the number of master printers by nine, there being only 30 offices returned in the Directory of that year. About this period the principal books printed in Ireland were known as sixpenny books, sometimes called Burton Books (from publisher). As a general rule these were of a very light character.

The number of volumes sold was enormous. It is stated four book-sellers in the city used to deal exclusively in them, publishing an average of 50,000** in addition to the Dublin work; in Cork and Limerick presses were employed at no other work; it is calculated that over 300,000 **copies were annually printed and circulated.”

Such being the condition of affairs, one can fully understand how essential it was for the craftsmen of the time to bind themselves together, as they did, by forming the society in 1809,** **for their mutual protection and assistance; and when we of to-day review their early efforts and far-reaching work, we should never lose sight of the all-important factor - how dangerous it was at that time to form a “combination,” or association, a thing as hateful then to the powers that be as was that of a “trades union” to many in our own day.

The next tabloid view we get of the printing trade in the city is thus described by a writer in 1815**, **who says:-

“The trade is confined to devotional and moral tracts, printing handbills and playbills; to some half-dozen newspapers and one or two magazines. There was no encouragement for literary exertion in the Irish metropolis, because the cautions Dublin bookseller will run no risk in publishing an original work, however great its merit. It must first appear in England or not at all.”

And when one looks up the list of books produced in Dublin about that period, he can easily see the stagnation in the printing trade in the early days of the 19th century. As it was said of the work which was produced in Dublin in the days of the Irish Parliament that party views and political interests excited public attention and imparted a literary impulse, history repeats itself, and this fillip was undoubtedly given in the formation and operations of the various religious and political movements which came into existence about the year 1820**, **at which time the Dublin printing trade “arose from its ashes.”

A new spirit seemed to come into being in all parts of the country-the magic Press was at work, Cork, Waterford, Belfast, Limerick, Tralee, Newry, Galway, and many other towns joining in sending forth their quota to the development which had been set rolling.

The first Census which gives us a definite landmark to guide us as to the pulse of the city trade is that of the year 1831, and tells us that the number of printers then in Dublin was 429, including masters. The onward movement was active in our city, as we find that in the five years, 1830 to 1835, its influence was so strong that no less than 20 magazines were published. Some, I regret to add, had a short existence.

Amongst those which call for a more than passing reference is the *Dublin Penny Journal *the owners of which, in 1833, introduced steam machining for the printing of their paper. In summing up the state of the printing business in Dublin in 1833 the editor writes as follows:-

“When the *Dublin Penny Journal *first came into our hands our printing machine had not been set to work. It was the first and only machine of its kind which had been introduced into Ireland. A prejudice existed against it by the workmen. It is but justice, however, to say for them, although many of them at first considered it would deprive them to a certain extent of accustomed labour, there was not at any time the slightest attempt made to injure the machine or prevent its working.” These remarks with reference to the printing machine of ‘33 aptly apply to the Lino. and Mono. of to-day. Other observations of a most interesting nature are contained in the number which I hold in my hand; it also gives views of the case, press, machine room, and foundry of a Dublin office seventy-five years ago. What a change in the same departments nowadays!

From an article in the same journal of March, 1833,1 cull the following:- “Now, justice compels us to say that the only town in Ireland which has kept any pace with the literary stir of the last 30 years is the spirited town of Belfast. In the way of book printing, until lately, Dublin has been wofully behind, when considered as the metropolis of the kingdom.

“There are doubtless old-established and enterprising booksellers in the city; yet from whatever cause it arose there was never anything produced which could be at all compared with the London and Edinburgh productions until within the last few years during which Mr. Cummings and the Messrs. Curry and others have set a praiseworthy example of energy and spirit.

Of the other towns in Ireland, Cork is spirited and contains an intelligent and reading population. The same remark applies to Limerick. But neither Limerick nor Cork nor Waterford can compare to Belfast. We intend nothing invidious by the comparison-we wish to excite emulation. We would like to see printing offices as numerous in every town in Ireland as in England.”

The writer next alludes to the want of a type foundry in Ireland. The article concludes as follows:-

“A great change has been manifesting itself of late and which is rapidly progressing. There is more literary energy in Dublin at present than has been at any former period, and we trust the day is not far distant when the reproach of mental impotence will be wiped away and the character of our countrymen be, that they are not merely acute, but informed, not merely imaginative, holy, witty, and droll, but intellectual, manly, tasteful, refinned.” Thank God, the day foreshadowed by the writer did come and has not yet passed away.

As the writer referred to Belfast as a centre of printing trades, through the kindness of a friend I have here a few notes as to the printing trade of Belfast some 70 or 80 years ago.

James Blow printed a Bible known in the North of Ireland as “Blow’s Bible,” and Simms and McIntyre printed the Douay Bible by authority of Bishop Denvir. The latter firm published in Belfast. “The Parlour Library,” printed on platen machines with frisket, a hand press, and not much faster than a hand press. Simms and McIntyre’s Douay Bible, plates of Bible, “Parlour Library,” business, etc., were sold to Messrs. Dobson, London, 60 or 70 years ago, which firm republished them for many years after.

Messrs. Archer had a paper-mill at Carnanee, and a Mr. Johnston, grandfather of Mr. Thomas Johnston of Adair’s, had a paper-mill at Boghead, near Antrim, and supplied Simms and M’Intyre with paper. Owing to the heavy duty on paper, smuggling was prevalent. There was no Antrim road then, such as now, and the way was over the mountain about Ligoniel - paper and carrier were often seized by the Excisemen.

Printers retained the wrapper with the Excise mark or stamp, and sent it back to the mill in order to have it again filled with paper to escape payment of duty.

Mr. Joy, then proprietor of the *News Letter, *had his paper-mill at the head of Joy Street, where the latter thoroughfare joined the Paper Mill Bridge on the Blackstaff When wages were raised to £1 per week, Jemmy Reid (known as “Cork Reid,” who had afterwards a printing office at the corner of Waring Street), on receiving his first pound, flourished the note round his head on leaving the workshop.

Fifty-five or 60 years ago newsvenders lent the papers at a penny an hour.

A compositor of the old school used to set up an Almanac entitled “Poor Robin’s Remarks,” or “Old Robin’s Remarks,” which foretold the weather, etc., and the boy who assisted him would say, “Jack, what will I put in for March?”

Rapidly travelling along the road of time, we find from the Dublin Census of the year 1841,** **there were in Dublin

717 Letterpress Printers. 14 Copper Plate Printers. 6 Lithographers.

In the same year, at a gathering in Dublin, was recited a Printer’s Charter song, written by a Mr. Fegan. It consists of 14 verses. The two last convey to one’s mind the Dublin printers in evidence that day:

And now with proud enthusiasm, we’ll give the noble souls

Who guide the Press of Britain, whilst with lightning’s speed it rolls;

The pilots, Boyd and Oliver, Black, Simpkins, Ballintyne,

Our Dublin Folds and Belfast Simms, in sparkling Champagne wine.

With cheering rapture drink their healths, these of the present time;

I am now at home, fill up each glass, we’ll drink our noble selves,

And first, John Cummings’ honest health, long may he fill our shelves;

Smith, Curry, Tyrrell, Webb, Keene, Ennis, Grant, Milleken, Coyne,

And our own Sharps, whose knock is felt from London to the Boyne -

With cheering rapture, drink their healths, these of the present time.

The stagnation epoch having passed away, Dublin once more asserts herself as leader of the Irish printing trade - this lasting advance I honestly believe is due to Davis and the Young Ireland Movement of 1842.

The late Father Meehan, writing in 1847 with reference to it says “A new soul has come into Ireland, no matter how the cynic may sneer or the envious disparage, ‘tis nevertheless absolutely certain that there has arisen of late such an array of talent such as our island has rarely witnessed. He who, with others, evoked that genius which is stamped on the Library of Ireland, is in his grave; and if his spirit could be again embodied on our earth it would rejoice at the successful labours of his coadjutors.”

There is no possible shadow of doubt that the work of men in that movement gave an impetus to the printing industry which has existed from that eventful period to this, our own day. The energy and enthusiasm of James Duffy, Browne (afterwards Browne and Nolan), with some others at the time opened up a new departure; they did their work on the lines of their predecessors in the years preceding the Union; they gave the Irish people cheap and wholesome literature.

About the same time the learned and upper classes formed their many scientific and literary societies, and thus led to the issuing of magnificent volumes. All this, as a natural consequence, helped the Dublin printer in his struggle for existence. But it did much. more; it tended to show up and put an end to the vile system of sending out of the country work which (as was satisfactorily proved) could be produced both as good and as cheap in Ireland.

We are getting along rapidly to within measurable distance of our own times; we are at the 50 milestone of the Society’s existence. From that statistical storehouse of Thom for 1859** **I extract the following figures: Dublin had in that year:-

4 Daily newspapers.

3 Issued three times weekly.

2** **Issued twice weekly.

13** **Weekly.

2** **Bi-monthly.

1** **Quarterly.

64 Master printers.

I** **University Press.

899 Letterpress printers.

31 Copperplate printers.

51 Lithographic printers.

99 County newspapers.

The next beacon light we meet on the road is the late Mr. Power. Writing with regard to the conditions of the trade in 1866, in his magazine, The Irish Literary Inquirer, he says: “Whatever may have been the case formerly, it is certain that at the present time most Irish printed books will compare favourably with those of any other country. We instance the folio ‘Catalogue of Trinity College Library,’ executed at the University Press, as compared with the ‘Bodleian Catalogue,’ and the publication of the Irish Archaeological Society, printed in Dublin, with those of any other book-publishing society; and the ‘Dublin University Magazine, is quite as well produced as ‘Frazer’ or ‘Blackwood.’ Nor is the printing executed in the provinces in any way inferior to similar works in towns of the same size elsewhere.”

We now approach the Dublin of our own immediate time. We have previously reviewed the progress made in the first 50 years after the inauguration of the trade society. It is with greater pleasure that one can adduce facts proving that the second half-century of its progress was, if anything, more marked, in face of desperate odds. Now for the list in 1909:** **

Dublin has 8 Daily newspapers.

34 Weekly.

38 Monthly.

3 Bi-monthly.

3 Quarterly.

63 Master printers (which includes 17 Limited Companies).

The University Press.

The County newspapers number 151.

One important factor which stands out prominently in the figures I have just quoted is the fact that the individual master printer has almost disappeared in Dublin-only twelve of the houses which appear in the list of the year 1859 remain. The printing trade of the city is now principally in the hands of limited companies. It is not within my province to-night to attempt to deal with the question as to which is the best for the worker, or dilate upon such an important and complex question.

With reference to the trade of the present time, it can be said without boast on the part of the Dublin printer of to-day that the work turned out in the city can stand the test of honest comparison with any issued in England or abroad-not only letter-press work, but also that executed by the kindred trades of lithography, wood or process engraving, colourprinting, paper-making, or in the bookbinder’s craft.

The young printer of to-day has many advantages and privileges which his predecessors had not- advantages which enable him to maintain the prestige of the Dublin “comp.” The following summary of the past 30 years may be instructive:

NUMBER OF PRINTERS IN THE CITY OF DUBLIN.

‘71 ‘81 ‘91 ‘01.

Printers (including employes) 1,477 1,486 1,661 1,837

Litographic Printers 117 118 167 201

Copper Plate and Steel Plate engravers Not known. 7 2 Not known

The old Dublin historic printing houses have passed away. Virtually only two landmarks remain. To be exactly correct I should say but one, as the second has disappeared within the past few months. The first is Grierson’s house, in West Essex Street, formerly Smock Alley. This house was called “The Sign of the Two Bibles.”

It is now a lodginghouse. It is situated a few doors from 55 Michael and John’s Church. In this house (1724)** **was printed the first Irish Edition of Milton’s Poems. After Grierson had retired Jolly had his printing office in the same house, and here the late Mr. M’Mullen, one of your respected trustees, worked for some time after his apprenticeship.

The second landmark was the house of Robert Marchbank, printer, Stafford Street. This name carries one back to the year 1763.** **In looking up the records we find a description of some handsome houses with pleasant terrace walks in Cole Alley, one of which was the residence of Robert Marchbank, an eminent printer, a name, which, bequeathed from sire to son, until a short time ago was inscribed on the roll of Dublin master printers.

The passage which we know in our day as the Castle Steps, which runs from Castle Street to Ship Street, was a portion of Cole Alley. Opposite, on the other side of Castle Street, was situated Pembroke Court, where stood Falconer’s printing office. I may add the interesting fact that this street of historic traditions and memories was the birth-place of the Dublin Typographical Provident Society.

If Dublin had in the 18th century a galaxy of the followers of Caxton, consisting of George Falconer (called by Swift the Prince of Printers), Chambers, Ewing, Powell, White, Grierson being amongst the most prominent, - the nineteenth century produced, in addition to those already mentioned, Jolly, Pettigrew, Oulton, Thom, Powell, Chapman, Mullany; O’Toole, John Falconer, Dollard, Leckie, M’Glashen and Gill, the Dublin Steam (the predecessors of Sealy, Bryers, and Walker).

During all the time the Dublin University was producing some of the best possible work. One set in particular has an attraction for me - its splendid edition of the “Annals of the Four Masters.”

There is one special book which has been printed annually in Dublin for over 150 years. I refer to the volume known in our days as “Thom’s Directory.” The story of its foundation and ultimate success is somewhat interesting. The Dublin Directory first appeared in 1752; its** price was threepence. It contained, so ran its contents, “no inconsiderable list of merchants, with some eminent grocers.” Its compiler was Peter Wilson. He superintended its publication till the time of his death in Phibsborough in 1802, when it passed into the hands of his daughters, from whom it **was purchased by a Mr. Corbett, of Great Britain Street.

Soon after it** was taken over by Messrs. Pettigrew and Oulton. After some further changes in ownership, in 1844 it **became the property of Alexander Thom. The Dublin Directory has grown by leaps and bounds from a threepenny pamphlet, in 1752, to a closely printed large octavo of near 3,000 pages, and is admitted on all sides to be a volume worthy of its compiler and of Dublin craftsmanship.

Looking down the avenue of time between 1809** **and to-day the members of the society have much to be proud of. At the close of 100 it is not an old, decayed institution, but stands forth in all its pristine vigour. Its pioneers laid its foundation truly and well, so as to bear the stress and storms of time, and battle against the many vicissitudes which of necessity must be encountered.

In my imagination I picture the founders of your society sitting round their council table, planning an Irish trades society at a time when it was somewhat dangerous to do so, when neither help or assistance to their project was accorded to them outside Ireland’s shores. They are animated by the sole desire to elevate their trade, help their fellow-craftsman in his time of distress; and in so doing they have left uneffaceable traces of their handiwork. They seem to have been impressed with the spirit and ideals expressed in the following stanza

“We will go forth amongst men not mailed in scorn,

But in the armour of a pure intent;

Great duties are before us

And high aims;

And whether crowned or crownless,

When we fall it matters not,

So that God’s and country’s holy work are done.”

Theirs was truly God’s and country’s holy work. To assist their fellow-man in his hour of distress and difficulty and at the same time to add in the mental and material elevation of their country. The path they marked out for your guidance is clear and definite, as is the charter which has been given to your keeping.

The time will come when all here present shall have passed away, and when others assemble to do honour to your principles and labours. It is the heart’s desire that they may be enabled to give as glorious a record of your work as you accord to-night to the founders of the Dublin Typographical Provident Society.

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