During the past few years there has been a very evident revival in the
Printer’s Mark as a modern device, but the interest has much more
largely obtained among publishers than among printers. We propose,
therefore, to include in this chapter a few of the more interesting
examples of each class. On the score of antiquity the Stationers’
Company may be first mentioned. Founded in 1403--nearly three-quarters
of a century before the introduction of printing--its first charter was
not received until May 4th, 1557, during the reign of Mary. The number
of “seditious and heretical books, both in prose and verse,” that were
daily issued for the propagation of “very great and detestable heresies
against the faith and sound Catholic doctrine of Holy Mother the
Church,” became so numerous, that the government were only too glad to
“recognize” the Company, and to intrust it with the most absolute power.
The charter was to “provide a proper remedy,” or, in other words, to
check the fast-increasing number of publications so bitter in their
opposition to the Court religion. But, stringent and emphatic as was
this proclamation, its effect was almost _nil_. On June 6th, 1558,
another rigorous act was published from “our manor of St. James,” and
will be found in Strype’s “Ecclesiastical Memorials” (ed. 1822, iii.
part 2, pp. 130, 131). It had specific reference to the illegality of
seditious books imported, and others “covertly printed within this
realm,” whereby “not only God is dishonoured, but also encouragement is
given to disobey lawful princes and governors.” This proclamation
declared that not only those who possessed such books, but also those
who, on finding them, do not forthwith report the same, should be dealt
with as rebels. It will be seen, therefore, how easy it was, in the
absence of any fine definition, for books of whatever character to be
proscribed. There was no appeal against the decision of the Stationers’
Hall representatives, who had the power entirely in their own hands.
A few months after Mary’s futile attempt at checking the freedom of the
press, a diametrically objective change occurred, and with Elizabeth’s
accession to the throne in November, 1558, the licensed stationers
conveniently veered around and were as industrious in suppressing
Catholic books as they had been a few weeks previously in endeavouring
to stamp out those of the new religion. The history of the Stationers’
Company however has been so frequently told that it need not be further
entered upon here, and it must suffice us to say that, after many
vicissitudes, all the privileges and monopolies had become neutralized
by the end of the last century, till it had nothing left but the right
to publish a common Latin primer and almanacks, and the right to the
latter monopoly was annulled after a memorable speech of Erksine. The
Company still continues to publish almanacks, and uses the two Marks or
Arms here reproduced. The larger example is the older, and is used on
the County almanacks; whilst the smaller one is used on circulars and
notices.
[Illustration: THE STATIONERS’ COMPANY.