Note 216 — Chapter V · THE STATE CONTROL OF ENGLISH LETTER-FOUNDING.

In 1635 the journeymen printers presented a petition to the Stationers’ Company respecting certain abuses which they desired to have reformed. The report of the referees appointed to inquire into the matter, with their recommendations, is still preserved. Amongst other things is a provision against standing formes; also that no books printed in Nonpareil should exceed 5,000 copies, in Brevier 3,000 (except the privileged books); and further, that compositors should keep their cases clean, and dispose of “all wooden letters, and two-line letters, and keep their letter whole while work is doing, and after bind it up in good order.” The Company approved of the report, and ordered it to be entered on the books. (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1635. London, 8vo, 1865, p. 484.)