Advertising circular for John Wright & Co. 'Printers & Stationers Electrotypers and Stereotypers', with two sets of three illustrations, given 'to show the difference in effect between Inartistic and High class Printing'.

4to bifolium of three pages, together a seperate leaf (dimensions of leaf in all cases 26 x 20 cm) carrying on one side one set of the three illustrations. Printed in black, and each page enclosed within a red decorative border. Creased and foxed, but a scarce piece of ephemera in acceptable overall condition. The first page of the bifolium is headed, in a variety of decorative fonts and point sizes, 'John Wright & Co. | STONE BRIDGE & HOST STREET, | [next word in red] BRISTOL, | PRINTERS & STATIONERS | ELECTROTYPERS AND STEREOTYPERS.' The page carries a small engraving (oval, 3.5 x 3 cm) of the 'Stone Bridge Frontage' of the firm's premises, as well as the firm's ornate device in the gothic style. The text lays out the company's specifications, and boasts of its 'FIRE-PROOF CHAMBERS in basement' and 'LARGE STOCK ROOM for the Storage of Printed Sheets for Publishers and others.' The second page, in double column, is filled with a 'Selection of Extracts from numerous Letters and Press Notices, referring to the quality of work printed by JOHN WRIGHT & CO.' Includes numerous private communications, with the addresses of individuals given (e.g. 'F. G Stanley-Wylde, M.D. 13, Upper Phillimore Place, Kensington, W.' On the third page of the bifolium are three engravings: the first of a sailing ship at sunset with decorative pattern of shells at base; the second, captioned 'SPRINGTIME', a stylized rural scene with birds, trees and foliage; and the third of the grass approach to a castle wall with gate and ramparts. At the base of the page: 'These Illustrations are inserted by kind permission of the Publishers as smaples of printing.' A cruder printing of the same three illustrations, arranged in the same manner within an identical red decorative border, are reproduced on the separate sheet, the only difference between the two pages being that on this occasion the caption at the foot of the page reads 'The above Engravings are the same blocks as those upon our larger Circular, and are given here simply to show the difference in effect between Inartistic and High class Printing. Please compare the two sheets.' BBTI has John Wright trading in Bristol from before 1824 to 1854, first at 35 Bridge St (1834), and then, as the 'Bristol Steam Press' (1850-4). However John Wright & Co. were certainly active in Bristol as late as 1899.