Shelfmark
Fs.3.32(01)
Main entry--uniform title
Mercurius pragmaticus (London, England : 1647-1649)
Title
Mercurius pragmaticus. Communicating intelligence from all parts, touching all affaires, designes, humours and conditions throughout the kingdome. Especially from Westminster, and the head-quarters. Numb. 40. From Tuesday, December 26. to Tuesday, January 9. 1629. [sic]
Varying form of title
Mercvrivs pragmaticus
Publication, distribution, etc.
[London : s.n., 1649]
Physical description
[12] p. ; 19 cm. (4to)
Note
Counterfeit issue of "Mercurius pragmaticus", one of the "three 'grand' Royalist weeklies of 1647," begun by John Cleveland and Samuel Sheppard, but chiefly written by Marchamont Nedham during 1648 and part of 1649; counterfeit issues of this newsbook appeared at random during its entire run, beginning with the second issue. Cf. Frank; Williams.
Note
Title from caption; issue number precedes caption title. Place and date of publication derived from ESTC.
Note
Most regular issues begin with a title page poem in rhymed quatrains, signed with Nedham's motto: "Nemo me impune lacessit," and ended with a rhymed couplet. The later counterfeits also used Nedham's motto, but most lacked the end couplet and their title page poems were either not in quatrains or failed to scan.
Note
Title page poem in three stanzas of rhymed quatrains each followed by rhymed couplet.
Note
Signatures: Fff⁶.
Note
Text of copy being described begins: "Here's a mid World my Masters, ..."
Citation/references note
ESTC, P1293
Citation/references note
Frank, J. Beginnings of the English newspaper 1620-1660
Citation/references note
Williams, J.B. History of English journalism
Citation/references note
Nelson & Seccombe. Brit. newspapers and periodicals, 1641-1700, 369.240A
Binding
Early 20th-century sprinkled calf half binding; blind-tooled dogtooth borders; red and black marbled cloth boards; spine lettered in gilt "Mercurius pragmatics 40. 45 - Mercurius politicus 6. 41. 298."
Copy-specific note
Ms. note at head of title: "forged".
Copy-specific note
Bound with other single issues of "Mercurius pragmaticus" and "Mercurius politicus".
Copy-specific note
Formerly folded as single issue.
Copy-specific note
Previously Fq.4.
Subject
Great Britain History Civil War, 1642-1649 Newspapers Early works to 1800.
Genre/Form
Newsbooks.
Genre/Form
Forgeries.
Added entry--name
Sheppard, S. Samuel
Added entry--name
Added entry--name
Added entry--place
England London.
Identifier
B40676