The Provincial Book Trade in Eighteenth-Century England

In this study, drawing on a wide range of primary sources, John Feather looks at the provincial book trade in eighteenth-century England.

John Feather (Author)

9780521055529, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 February 2008

196 pages
21.5 x 0.3 x 1.1 cm, 0.266 kg

It was not until the eighteenth century that books became widely available throughout the whole of England. Publishing remained largely London-based, but the provincial market grew steadily in importance. In this study, drawing on a wide range of primary sources, John Feather traces the economic, social and cultural forces which made possible this fundamental change, and assesses the impact of the metropolitan printed word on provincial society. He discusses the important issues of copyright and piracy; the various financial arrangements between booksellers and publishers; and above all the elaborate distribution and agency systems that enabled London publishers to retain their effective stranglehold by penetrating the provincial market at every level.

List of illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgements
Note on sources
Note on dates and places
Abbreviations
1. London and the country
2. A century of growth
3. The market for books
4. The distribution system
5. The bookselling business
6. The printing office
Conclusion
Appendices
Notes
Index of the provincial book trade
General index.

Subject Areas: Publishing industry & book trade [KNTP]