PREFACE

of the Library Committee of the Maryland Historical Society, whose
knowledge of Maryland history and biography has been of great assist-
ance. I also wish to mention the constant interest and encouragement
which my father has given me in undertaking and preparing this book,
as well as in all of my work. To my friends who have read the book in
manuscript or printed form I offer my thanks for suggestions and cor-
rections which have done much to improve the text.

It has been an interesting experience to discover first hand the various
problems of modern bookmaking as they have developed in the publica-
tion of this book. I am greatly indebted to Dr. Henry R. Evans, of
Washington, who loaned me the cut of the first Georgetown newspaper
and to Mr. Albert Rosenthal and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
who have permitted me to use a steel engraving of Eleazer Oswald which
Mr. Rosenthal made over fifty years ago. Through the generosity of Mr.
Maurice H. Annenberg, the chapter heads and initial letters are those
specially made for Mr. Wroth's book. I would also acknowledge my debt
to Mr. Norman T. A. Munder and to the Waverly Press for suggestions
and advice on the printing of this book.

The publication of this book in its present form by the Maryland
Historical Society was made possible by the generosity of Mr. Louis H.
Dielman, Hon. John W. Garrett, and Dr. Joseph L. Wheeler of Baltimore
and Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin and Mr. William D. Miller of Providence.

I have been particularly fortunate in having the privilege of working
under Dr. Lawrence C. Wroth, Librarian of the John Carter Brown
Library, and receiving from him generous help and guidance in all the
problems which arose in preparing this work as a thesis in partial ful-
fillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at Brown
University, as well as in putting it into final form for printing. Above all,
he has enabled me to develop that fuller appreciation and enjoyment
which comes from the handling of books, and which is the highest reward
of a bibliographer.

JOSEPH TOWNE WHEELER.
Brown University,
Providence, December 1, 1937.

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