Trade card for Jo J. Blake, printer, bookseller, stationer, and binder 1700 - 1800

This trade card for Jo J. Blake, printer, bookseller, stationer and binder, was etched by an anonymous artist. Its image of a busy workshop would have been instantly recognizable to the card’s 18th century audience in England. The elaborate typography and elegant floral decorations, topped by the British coat of arms, evoke the high quality of Blake’s wares. But it is the depiction of the printing process itself that is most striking. Here, the artist presents a vision of skilled craftsmen working in concert. We see the division of labor, the physical exertion required to operate the press, and the meticulous attention to detail involved in producing books and documents. The inclusion of the coat of arms suggests the printer's adherence to quality, as well as allegiance to the crown, hinting at the printer's potential role in disseminating official information. Such associations are invaluable for historians. By delving into archives and trade directories, we can begin to understand the importance of printing houses like Blake’s to the social fabric of Georgian England.