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Papers of Jacob Tonson

 Collection
Identifier: T66533

Scope and Content

This collection contains the call numbers C.c.1 (1-83).

The papers of Jacob Tonson consists of 76 manuscript and 7 photographed manuscript letters and other papers addressed to Jacob Tonson (1656?-1736), written by him, or otherwise connected with him, mostly dating from the period 1685-1737. Some items relate to his business partner and nephew, Jacob Tonson (d. 1735), and his great-nephew, Jacob Tonson (d.1767).

The collection consists of autograph manuscripts by prominent literary figures such as John Dryden, Aphra Behn, Richard Bentley, Joseph Addison, William Congreve, and John Vanbrugh as well as letters from others, chiefly members of the Kit-Cat Club. The correspondence is representative of both Tonson's professional and personal activities: several letters concern gathering engravings and subscriptions for a fine edition of Caesar's Commentaries (ultimately published by Samuel Clarke), while others thank Tonson for his gifts of cider. Transcripts of 10 letters from Alexander Pope concern Lewis Theobald's Shakespeare. In addition to letters, the collection contains copyright assignments, receipts, bills (including one for expenses associated with the funeral of Jacob Tonson), drafts of the elder Jacob Tonson's will, and poems.

Dates

  • 1685-1891 (bulk 1685-1737)
  • Majority of material found within 1685 - 1737

Creator

Availability

Collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical note

Jacob Tonson, sometimes referred to as Jacob Tonson the elder or Jacob Tonson I (1656?–1736) was a late 17th and 18th century English bookseller and publisher, known for his editions of works by John Dryden, John Milton, and translations of classical texts and for having purchased copyrights on the plays of William Shakespeare. He was also the founder of the famous Kit-Cat Club.

Jacob Tonson's nephew, also named Jacob Tonson and sometimes referred to as Jacob Tonson the younger or Jacob Tonson II (d. 1735), was his business partner. The younger Tonson's son, also named named Jacob Tonson (1714-1767) and referred to as Jacob Tonson III continued the business.

Extent

83.0 items (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The papers of Jacob Tonson consists of 76 manuscript and 7 photographed manuscript letters and other papers addressed to Jacob Tonson (1656?-1736), written by him, or otherwise connected with him, mostly dating from the period 1685-1737. Some items relate to his business partner and nephew, Jacob Tonson (d. 1735), and his great-nephew, Jacob Tonson (d.1767).

Arrangement

The papers of Jacob Tonson are divided into two series. Series I: Manuscripts and Series II: Photographs of autograph manuscripts signed from John Dryden.

Series I largely follows the order in which the manuscripts were previously bound in the large folio album owned by the Baker family of Bayfordbury.

Series II consists of photographs of 7 letters from John Dryden, previously bound with items in this collection and now in the collections of the Clark Library.

Provenance

The Papers of Jacob Tonson passed, through the daughter of Jacob Tonson III (d. 1767), who married William Baker of Bayfordbury. When obtained by the Folger many pieces had been removed from the large folio album in which the manuscripts were then mounted. Several of these previously removed items are in the collections of the Morgan Library & Museum, the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, and the British Library.

Acquisition Information

The Folger Shakespeare Library acquired this collection from Dobell's in 1946.

Other Formats

We are in the process of updating links in this finding aid. Until all links have been updated, please go to Papers of Jacob Tonson, 1680-1737 to view digital images of select items.

Also available on microfilm, FILM Fo 33.4a (reduction ratio 13:1; 17 feet).

Related Materials

Assignment from George and Mary Wells to Jacob Tonson, Jr. of copyrights, London, 1709 October 22, Folger MS S.a.160.

List of payments to editors of Shakespeare from Tonsons, booksellers, ca. 1735, Folger MS S.a.163.

Autograph letter signed from Jacob Tonson to Jacob Tonson, his nephew, 1727 February 7, Folger MS Y.c.2433.

Autograph letter signed from George Stepney, Lipstadt, to Jacob Tonson, 1694/5 February 14/24, Folger MS X.d.7

Dryden–Tonson correspondence located at the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA.

Egerton Manuscripts 2869 located at the British Library.

Letter from Joseph Addison, letter from John Dryden, and fair copy of first book of Paradise Lost located at the Morgan Library and Museum.

Processing Information

Processed by Folger Shakespeare Library staff.

Title
Guide to the Papers of Jacob Tonson Folger MS C.c.1 (1-83)
Status
In Process
Author
Finding aid prepared by Nadia Seiler, 2011.
Date
2010 November
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Revision Statements

  • January 2012: Digital image links added by Jesse Lambertson.

Repository Details

Part of the Folger Shakespeare Library Repository

Contact:
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Washington DC 20003 USA