An Address to the Workmen in the Pottery, on the Subject of Entering into the Service of Foreign Manufacturers.

£12,500 · Offered by Maggs Bros Ltd

Rare. ESTC records only The Met (without the additional leaf at the end), New York Historical Society (without the additional leaf at the end) and Yale (x2, both copies do not have the additional leaf at the end) in the USA. The last copy recorded on Rare Book Hub was at Sotheby’s in 1977 (“contemporary red leather, gilt, rather worn, from the collection of Queen Charlotte”) and before that the only other copy recorded was sold at Sotheby’s in 1918 (“stiff paper cover, RARE”). Printed in Baskerville type (see Straus Dent, 1683). Some copies have a later additional leaf at the end (see ECCO, printed on the recto only) which was inserted in copies for presentation by Wedgwood, the end of the text states: “Mr. Wedgwood drew up a hasty little piece and distributed it through the pottery; and now takes the liberty of inclosing it to a few gentlemen to whom he has the honour of being known, hoping that some more general and effected means may be thought of to prevent the mischiefs threatened to this kingdom by the emigration of its workmen and artificers.” A highly manipulative polemic by the great English pottery manufacturer Josiah Wedgwood warning his employees of the grave risks associated with emigrating to America (and France). Published amidst civil unrest in the Staffordshire area due to a series of bad harvest and rising food prices caused by the American War of Independence. Wedgwood, fearful that he would lose his workers (and their knowledge of his manufacturing process

• Binding: Hardcover

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