Fs.3.32(04)
Mercurius pragmaticus (London, England : 1647-1649)
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. 41. From Tuesday, Ianuary 9. to Tuesday, January 16. 1629. [sic]
Mercvrivs pragmaticus
[London : s.n., 1649]
[8] p. ; 19 cm. (4to)
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.
Title from caption; issue number precedes caption title. Place and date of publication derived from ESTC.
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.
Title page poem in three stanzas of rhymed quatrains each followed by rhymed couplet.
Signatures: Ggg⁴.
Text of copy being described begins: "Yes; the day being yours; ..."
ESTC, P1293
Frank, J. Beginnings of the English newspaper 1620-1660
Williams, J.B. History of English journalism
Nelson & Seccombe. Brit. newspapers and periodicals, 1641-1700, 369.241
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."
Ms. note at head of title: "forged".
Bound with other single issues of "Mercurius pragmaticus" and "Mercurius politicus".
Formerly folded as single issue.
Previously Fq.4.
Great Britain History Civil War, 1642-1649 Newspapers Early works to 1800.
Sheppard, S. Samuel
England London.
B40841