held a number of roles during her time at the Folger, including Editor of The Collation (2011–2015). She is the author of Studying Early Printed Books 1450-1800: A Practical Guide, co-editor of PBSA (The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America) and occasionally still writes a blog and newsletter, which can be found from her website. — View all posts by Sarah Werner
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Further to this, Bonnell’s ‘Disreputable trade’ is an excellent study of Bell’s entrepreneurial innovations and while concentrating on his poetry series has much that is useful in untangling the bibliographical challenges of his play series.
Very much looking forward to part two. Would be interested to know if the Folger has any of the carrying cases that Bell sold to contain his series.
Valerie Fairbrass — June 5, 2012
Thank you for pointing out that resource, Valerie. I have not come across one of the carrying cases mentioned by Bonnell, but maybe those were specifically for Bell’s poetry editions, which I am not cataloging (or, worse, have yet to come across)!
Carrie Smith — June 13, 2012
I’m amused that the advert praising the rounded-s names the “more open” appearance of the lines as a virtue, but still fills the space between the lines with a “ct” ligature. (For what it’s worth, I’m easily amused).
Erin Blake — June 7, 2012
Blog on Bell’s Shakespeare and reference to article by Globe Theatre staff on bibliographic nightmare: http://senatehouselibraryhistoriccollections.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/bells-shakespeare-at-senate-house/.
Valerie Fairbrass — January 22, 2013
Just found your reference to John Cawthorn. According to Ian Maxted it was Barker the bookseller from the Strand, who bought Bell’s books in a bankruptcy sale (in 1793?) George Cawthorn went into partnership with Bell in 1794 and then subsequently locked Bell out of the British Library address several years later probably because of mounting debts. In arbitration over the lock out, George Cawthorn was given the right to publish the future Bell Shakespeare (after 1796?) and the right to use the name of the British Library. It became a very public fight with Bell using newspaper advertising to castigate Cawthorn. George Cawthorn then went bankrupt himself in 1802, but passed on future editions to of the Bell Shakespeare to John Cawthorn (a cousin, we believe) who then commenced business at 5 Catherine Street, Strand in 1802 and worked there until his death in 1816. George died in 1804. Just to confuse things, James Cawthorn (George’s young son,) took over the British Library at 132 Strand and then moved to Cockspur Street. He later became partners with Hutt and published as Cawthorn and Hutt. Hope that this helps.
JD
Ian Maxted is a lovely person who would be the one to contact regarding any questions that you may have in your research as he was very helpful when I contacted him. His blog is the Exeter Working Papers in British Book Trade
jill davis — January 23, 2013
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Comments
Further to this, Bonnell’s ‘Disreputable trade’ is an excellent study of Bell’s entrepreneurial innovations and while concentrating on his poetry series has much that is useful in untangling the bibliographical challenges of his play series.
Very much looking forward to part two. Would be interested to know if the Folger has any of the carrying cases that Bell sold to contain his series.
Valerie Fairbrass — June 5, 2012
Thank you for pointing out that resource, Valerie. I have not come across one of the carrying cases mentioned by Bonnell, but maybe those were specifically for Bell’s poetry editions, which I am not cataloging (or, worse, have yet to come across)!
Carrie Smith — June 13, 2012
I’m amused that the advert praising the rounded-s names the “more open” appearance of the lines as a virtue, but still fills the space between the lines with a “ct” ligature. (For what it’s worth, I’m easily amused).
Erin Blake — June 7, 2012
Blog on Bell’s Shakespeare and reference to article by Globe Theatre staff on bibliographic nightmare: http://senatehouselibraryhistoriccollections.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/bells-shakespeare-at-senate-house/.
Valerie Fairbrass — January 22, 2013
Just found your reference to John Cawthorn. According to Ian Maxted it was Barker the bookseller from the Strand, who bought Bell’s books in a bankruptcy sale (in 1793?) George Cawthorn went into partnership with Bell in 1794 and then subsequently locked Bell out of the British Library address several years later probably because of mounting debts. In arbitration over the lock out, George Cawthorn was given the right to publish the future Bell Shakespeare (after 1796?) and the right to use the name of the British Library. It became a very public fight with Bell using newspaper advertising to castigate Cawthorn. George Cawthorn then went bankrupt himself in 1802, but passed on future editions to of the Bell Shakespeare to John Cawthorn (a cousin, we believe) who then commenced business at 5 Catherine Street, Strand in 1802 and worked there until his death in 1816. George died in 1804. Just to confuse things, James Cawthorn (George’s young son,) took over the British Library at 132 Strand and then moved to Cockspur Street. He later became partners with Hutt and published as Cawthorn and Hutt. Hope that this helps.
JD
Ian Maxted is a lovely person who would be the one to contact regarding any questions that you may have in your research as he was very helpful when I contacted him. His blog is the Exeter Working Papers in British Book Trade
jill davis — January 23, 2013