The 19th Century
James and John
Scrymgeour (fl. 1802-1809)
|
RB 2032: detail of imprint from title-page |
After
James Mundell's death in 1800, there was a delay of two years before
James and John Scrymgeour were elected to fill the vacancy of University
printer. They were
also booksellers and apparently ran a circulating library based in
Glassford Street. Little is known about their printing endeavours. James
died in 1804 and John in 1809. |
|
RB 2032: title-page |
RB 2032: printer's errata |
RB 2032: plate 2 |
Henry Park Cases of the excision of carious joints
Glasgow: At the University Press, printed by and for John Scrymgeour;
sold by Brash & Reid, Glasgow; A. Constable & Co.; Guthrie & Tait, and
J. Anderson, Edinburgh; and J. Murray, Fleet-Street, London, 1806
Sp Coll RB 2032This medical work postdates the death of James
Scrymgeour. Although John initially contined to use 'J. and J.' in
referring to the firm, by the time this was published he had dropped 'James' from the imprint. |
Andrew & James
Duncan (fl. 1811-1826)
|
d4-16: detail of illustration on frontispiece |
Following the death of James Scrymgeour, there was another interval
before Andrew Duncan assumed the role of University printer in 1811. By
this time, there was no room for a press within College and Duncan was
promised £20 annually out of University funds for a printing house.
Duncan came from a family of booksellers and stationers. He himself
worked as a bookseller and it is said that he was inspired to become a
printer in order to produce the books that he knew there was a market
for, but which were not available for sale. His
work was excellent, gaining him a good standing with publishers in
London. He printed for many years - latterly with his son - and was so
prosperous that he erected new printing works (Villafield) in the city
in 1818. Amongst other innovations, he introduced the Columbian Press
and stereotyping to Glasgow. Unfortunately, he later ran into financial
difficulties when the London firm of Hurst, Robinson & Company (for whom
he undertook a large amount of work) failed. |
|
d.4.16: title-page |
d.4.16: frontispiece |
Xenophon Cyropaedia
Glasguae : Excudebat Andreas Duncan, academiae typographus, veneunt apud
Bell & Bradfute, Silvester Doig, et A. Stirling, Edinburgii; Vernor Hood
& Sharpe, Londini; et J. & A. Duncan, Glasguae, 1812
Sp Coll d.4.16Duncan was particularly keen to print the work of
classical authors. He soon established a reputation for fine printing,
reviving the standard of the Foulis Press. Dibdin praised him for his
zeal, "diligence and good taste" in producing volumes of the classics. |
|
BG55-e.5: frontispiece |
BG55-e.5: title-page |
Euripides Opera omnia
Glasguae : ex prelo academico, cura et typis Andreae et Joannis M.
Duncan; impensis Ricardi Priestley, Londini, 1821
Sp Coll BG55-e.5MacLehose describes this "superb" nine volume edition of
Euripides' Works as one of Duncan's most scholarly achievements.
The text is in Greek with a parallel Latin translation accompanied by
extensive notes. The notes were provided by several learned commentators
and collated by Duncan and his son, John. |
|
LRA I15-a.8: title-page |
LRA I15-a.8: p147 |
Sir Issac Newton Philosophiae naturalis principia
mathematica
Glasguae: ex prelo academico, typis Andreae et Joannis M. Duncan.
Veneunt apud Lackington & soc., R. Priestley, G. & W. B. Whittaker, J.
Cuthel, G. Cowie & soc., J. Collingwood, Treuttel & Wurtz, et Treuttel,
Jun & Richter, Londini; necnon Parisiis, et Argentorati, apud Treuttel &
Wurtz, 1822.
LRA I15-a.5-8MacLehose highlights the importance of mathematical
printing to the University press, stating that this edition of the
Principia "brought great credit to Andrew Duncan". It was highly
praised for its accuracy. |
|
LRA Bf76-k.11: title-page |
LRA Bf76-k.11:
preliminary remarks |
James M'Conechy An introductory address delivered on the 19th
March, 1825, on the formation of a literary and scientific institution
among the workmen of the University printing office, Glasgow
Glasgow: printed at the University Press, sold by Wardlaw and
Cunninghame, 173, Trongate; Geo. Cowie & Co. London; Waugh and Innes,
Edinburgh; and W. Scott, Greenock. 1825.
LRA Bf76-k.11
This pamphlet gives a little insight into life as a printer at the
beginning of the 19th century. It states that there are "from ninety to
ninety-five men and boys employed at the University Printing Office" and
explains the regulations for subscribing to this institution for
self-improvement and education and its library. Details of the
preliminary lectures are also provided, and the introductory address
is printed out in full. |
Hutchison &
Brookman (fl. 1831-1832)
|
T.C.L 3772: detail of imprint |
Duncan resigned as University printer in 1826, selling all the
printing materials and stereotyping apparatus of the printing office at Villafield.
The University's next choice of 'Messrs Hutchison & Brookman' was not made until
1831. Appointed for one year only, their career was "brief and
chequered". Hutchison was a printer and stereotyper and Brookman a
skilled operative printer who had worked for Duncan. They had formed an
ill fated partnership with other printers (including John Blackie, of
the famous printing business). It is
thought that Hutchison might actually have retired by the time they were
made University printers. |
|
T.C.L 3772: title-page |
Jesuitical policy and iniquity exposed: a view of
the constitution and character of the Society of Jesus..
Glasgow : Printed by Hutchison and Brookman, for William Collins,
Glasgow; Wm. Whyte and Co. and Wm. Oliphant, Edinburgh; R. B. Lusk,
Greenock; A. Gardiner, Paisley; and G. King, Aberdeen, 1831
Sp Coll T.C.L. 3772This pamphlet was published at the expense of the
Committee of the Glasgow Auxiliary Reformation Society. Although an
example of the work of Hutchison & Brookman from 1831, it is not a
University publication. |
Edward Khull
(fl. 1833-1846)
|
Ogilvie1404: detail of imprint |
Edward Khull & Co. was a well established printing firm in Glasgow. Khull applied to be University printer following the year long tenure of
Hutchison and Brookman; as on other ocasions, the Senate delayed in
filling the vacancy until 1833. Khull remained in office until 1846. His
business later diminished, probably owing to a break with Blackie, with
whom he had formed an assocation, Like other printers of this time,
Khull & Co. had combined forces with a variey of publishing companies
over the years. It is said that Khull ultimately emigrated to Australia. |
|
Ogilvie1404: title-page |
James Cleland Letter to His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and
Brandon, Lord Lieutenant of the county of Lanark .. respecting the
parochial registers of Scotland
Glasgow: Printed at the University Press, by Edward Khull, Virginia
Street. MDCCCXXXIV. [1834]
Sp Coll Ogilvie 1404James Cleland was a statistician and civil
administrator. He was ordered the honorary degree of LLD in 1826 by the
University of Glasgow in recognition of his pioneering contributions to
statistical enquiry and to the advance of his native city. |
George
Richardson (fl. 1848-1872)
|
RB 2899: detail of excursions |
George Richardson was another established printer who had undertaken a
great deal of work for the University even before his official
appointment at the University Press in 1848. He had also previously
worked with Hutchison. |
|
|
|
RB 2899: title-page |
RB 2899: final page |
British Association for the Advancement of Science Leaflet giving
information for the 25th Meeting of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science
Glasgow : George Richardson, Printer to the University, 1855, 2nd
Edition.
Sp Coll RB 2899MacLehose comments that after the failure of Andrew Duncan as printer to
the University, those following in post seem "to have been more titular
than real" in their connection with the University. Although this notice
for a meeting of the British Association boasts of having been produced
by the "Printer to the University", it is typically not an academic
publication.
MacLehose goes on to remark that
Richardson's workshop was small in comparison with the glory days of the
Foulis brothers a century earlier - "to such small dimensions had the
once famous Press sunk". |
Robert
MacLehose, Senior (1872-1894)
|
MS Gen 1594: detail recording 1872 contract
with MacLehose (from later reprint) |
The last phase in the history of the University press began in 1872
with the appointment of Robert MacLehose. Robert was already connected
to the University by the family business. His brother, James, had
previously been appointed as the University's bookseller in 1864, and
then as publisher to the University in 1871; he had also established the
'Western Book Club' (a circulating library) in 1841.
Robert was a bookseller in Ayr before James encouraged him to begin
printing, supplying him with the capital and work to start a small
printing shop. Although the works at Ayr were small, Robert soon
established a reputation for excellence. Echoing the work ethic and
ideals of the Foulis brothers in the 18th century, the brothers'
publications were carefully planned and pride was again taken in
producing typographically elegant work.
Robert purchased Richardson's stock and the University press at
Glassford Street following his death in 1872; the press moved to West
Nile Street a year later. From 1873 until his retiral in 1876, Robert
was joined in partnership by Alexander Macdougall. His firm traded as
'MacLehose and Macdougall' but it was Robert who remained as printer to
the University. The business developed and expanded until Robert retired in
1894 at the age of 75. |
|
MacLehose 600: title-page |
MacLehose 600: facsimile
title-page from 1726 edition |
MacLehose 600: p109 |
Sir Isaac Newton Principia : Sir Isaac Newton's Principia
Reprinted for Sir William Thomson and Hugh Blackburn. Glasgow : James
MacLehose, Publisher to the University, 1871.
Sp Coll MacLehose 600It was the beauty of this
volume that persuaded the University to appoint Robert MacLehose as printer to the University in 1872. He had
it printed, while
his brother, James, published it. The press was
subsequently closely and widely identified with mathematical printing. |
|
MacLehose 136: bookplate of
James J. MacLehose |
MacLehose 136: title-page |
William P. Dickson St. Paul's use of the terms flesh and spirit
Glasgow: James MacLehose & Sons, St. Vincent St., publishers to the
University, 1883
Sp Coll MacLehose 136Many of the books published by James during this
period were printed by Robert. This is a typical example of one of their
University publications, produced in 1883. It is a series of lectures
delivered by William P. Dickson, the Professor of Divinity at the time.
Like many of the MacLehose items highlighted here, this volume has been
preserved in the University of Glasgow Library as part of the MacLehose
press collection. This collection of books was brought together by James
J. MacLehose (1857-1943), the son of James. He too was a partner in the
publishing side of the firm from 1881 to 1919. His distinctive bookplate
can be found on all the books in the collection. |
|
MacLehose 716: manuscript |
MacLehose 717: penultimate
revised proof copy
(p. 57 with corrections) |
MacLehose 718: clean proof
copy for final revision (p. 57) |
Walter C. Smith North country folk. Poems.
Glasgow: James MacLehose & Sons, publishers to the University, 1883
Sp Coll MacLehose 716-719Preserved also in the MacLehose collection
is an interesting run of books by Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908).
Smith was a Minister of the United Free Church and a poet. MacLehose
published several of his poetry collections. Some of the working copies
of his texts from the various stages of publishing have been saved
in the collection; these offer a fascinating insight into the sequence
of the 19th century printing process. North country folk, for
example, survives as a manuscript (with the working title Town &
country folk, and other poems), as a proof copy marked up in
manuscript with corrections by the author, as a 'clean' proof copy (with
far fewer revisions), and as the final published product. |
Robert
MacLehose and Company (1894-1904)
|
RX 152: detail from title-page |
Upon retiring in 1894, the senior Robert MacLehose's business was
purchased by his nephews, Robert and James J. These were the sons of his
brother, James: they had already been taken into partnership by James
senior in his bookselling and publishing business, which became known as
'James MacLehose and Sons' in 1881. James senior died in 1885, but
this side of the firm carried on under the same name. They continued the printing part of the firm under the name of 'Robert MacLehose and
Company'. The two firms were quite distinct, although they obviously
worked in tandem upon many publications. The premises and work of the
press expanded greatly at the end of the 19th century. |
|
RX 152: title-page |
RX 152: photos nos. 4 and 5 |
University of Glasgow Old and New
Glasgow: T. & R. Annan & Sons and James Maclehose & Sons, 1891
Sp Coll RX 152This is an update of a memorial volume that was produced in 1870 to
mark the move of the University from the city centre to its new site in
the West End. Its photogravures include the original illustrations of
the Old College, as well as a new series of the Gilmorehill buildings.
The text gives a brief history of the University, and describes its
administration and faculties, accompanied by portraits of many of the
professors. It was produced by the local photographic firm of Annan for
James MacLehose & Sons, the publishing and bookselling side of the
MacLehose Company.
|
|
MacLehose 10: title-page |
MacLehose 10: colophon |
J. T. T. Brown The authorship of the Kingis Quair: a new
criticism
Glasgow: James MacLehose & Sons, publishers to the University, 1896
Sp Coll MacLehose
10
A late 19th century academic text book that controversially disputes the
widely held notion that James I was the author of the Kingis Quair.
The handsome University Press colophon incorporates the names of both
Robert and James J. MacLehose. |
|
Mu21-y.6: front board
with University crest |
Mu21-y.6: title-page |
Addison, W. Innes A Roll of the graduates of the University of
Glasgow ... 1727 to ... 1897
Glasgow: James MacLehose & Sons, 61 St. Vincent Street, Publishers and
Booksellers to the University, 1898
Sp Coll Mu21-y.6This is another example of a
University publication printed by Robert Maclehose and Company and
published by James MacLehose and Sons. An old version of the University
crest is stamped on the front board. The work was compiled by W. Innes
Addison, the Assistant to the Clerk of Senate. |
|
MacLehose (not yet catalogued) |
Application & testimonials of Andrew Gray ... for the
Professorship of Natural History in the University of Glasgow
Robert MacLehose & Co., printers [1899]
Sp Coll MacLehose [not yet catalogued]The MacLehose press collection contains hundreds of testimonials
produced for candidates applying for academic posts at the University of
Glasgow. As well as providing interesting background into the
administrative history of the University, these can be a useful source
of biographical information. Andrew Gray successfully applied to
become the Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University in 1899. He
remained in post until 1924. This pamphlet includes a statement by him
in which he highlights his academic achievements and promises that, if
appointed, he will "promote advanced scientific education and research,
and ... further the interests of my old University". Also included are
25 letters of support. That from his former students and assistants in
the University College of North Wales refers to the "high esteem in
which we hold you both as a teacher and as a man". |
|
