Details
SHELTON, Thomas (1601-1650?). Tachygraphy. The most exact and compendious method of short and swift writing that hath ever yet been published by any. London: S. Simmons, 1674.
12° (142 x 84mm). [10], 43, [1]p. Engraved frontispiece dated 1671, title with typographical border, text within rules, engraved tables, engraved arms and articles of the creed in shorthand on verso of final leaf. Pp. 24, 32, 34 and 36 are blank. (Lower corner of frontispiece frayed, some leaves shaved with partial loss to headline or rule, B2 torn at lower margin with some loss of rule.) Later 19th-century brown morocco by Woolstencroft, Warrington (spine chipped and rubbed and with library shelf mark at foot). Provenance: Alexander Hamilton (signature on title).
Shelton's earliest short-hand system, Short-Writing, was registered with the Stationer's Company on 17 April 1626. No copy appears to have survived although there were reissues in 1630 and 1633. In 1635 he published an updated version -- renamed Tachygraphy -- at Cambridge, the first of several produced by the university press. The first London edition appeared in 1639 with at least 22 further editions up to 1710, several pirated. Adopted by Pepys in his diary, this was the popular system of its day which Thomas Jefferson was still using in the late 18th century. Despite the number of printings, however, it is rare on the market, the sale of only one imperfect copy being recorded by ABPC since 1975. 6 copies of the present edition are recorded, one imperfect. Wing S-3082.
12° (142 x 84mm). [10], 43, [1]p. Engraved frontispiece dated 1671, title with typographical border, text within rules, engraved tables, engraved arms and articles of the creed in shorthand on verso of final leaf. Pp. 24, 32, 34 and 36 are blank. (Lower corner of frontispiece frayed, some leaves shaved with partial loss to headline or rule, B2 torn at lower margin with some loss of rule.) Later 19th-century brown morocco by Woolstencroft, Warrington (spine chipped and rubbed and with library shelf mark at foot). Provenance: Alexander Hamilton (signature on title).
Shelton's earliest short-hand system, Short-Writing, was registered with the Stationer's Company on 17 April 1626. No copy appears to have survived although there were reissues in 1630 and 1633. In 1635 he published an updated version -- renamed Tachygraphy -- at Cambridge, the first of several produced by the university press. The first London edition appeared in 1639 with at least 22 further editions up to 1710, several pirated. Adopted by Pepys in his diary, this was the popular system of its day which Thomas Jefferson was still using in the late 18th century. Despite the number of printings, however, it is rare on the market, the sale of only one imperfect copy being recorded by ABPC since 1975. 6 copies of the present edition are recorded, one imperfect. Wing S-3082.
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Please note that C6 and 7 are trimmed at the fore-edge, affecting some symbols in the final columns.