1625 PERKINS, Samuel and Francis

 

An Almanacke that had a very long print run was that first published by Samuel Perkins and carried on (after a break of over 10 years) by Francis Perkins. The first known work by Perkins is A new Almanacke and Prognostication for the yeere of our Lord God 1625. The title page also boasts. And from the Worlds Creation 5587. This was sometimes found on the cover of almanacs and many included a time scale of events since the day of creation. Being the next yeere after the Leape yeere. Made and set forth by Samuel Perkins, well-willer to the mathematicks. Perkins calculated his almanac and prognostication For the Meridian of London. London: printed for the Companie of Stationers. 

The Prognostication included the description of distances, and early examples are distinctly similar to those of Arthur Hopton. 

           

  

 All illustrations courtesy of Internet Archive: 1625 original at Lambeth Palace Library.

This layout was altered during the long run of Almanackes, as was the title, albeit only slightly. It is believed that Samuel issued these every year from 1625 to 1643, and copies of all but 1637 are known.

The following libraries hold examples: BL 1627, 1631, 1634, 1635, 1637, 1641, 1643; Worcester College, Oxford 1626; Lambeth Palace Library 1625, 1629, 1630, 1631, 1633, 1636, 1638, 1639; Yale 1640; and Huntington Library 1642. 

         

   

 All illustrations courtesy of Internet Archive: 1634 original at British Library.    

 

From 1655 the series was revived, now published by F Perkins. A New Almanack and Prognostication for the year of our Lord God (year) was followed by the same focus on Creation: Being the first after Bissextile or Leapyear, And from the Worlds Creation 5621 (1657 issue as example, illustrated below). This was Composed, and chiefly referred to the famous City of London. Publishers imprint Made and set forth by F Perkins Wel-Willer to the Mathematicks. Now Printed by R. I. for the Company of Stationers.

Louise Hill Curth has issues from 1655 to 1700 (with gaps) but several copies as late as 1742 are extant.      

  

 

All illustrations courtesy of Internet Archive: 1657 original at the Bodleian Library.

 

Issues are reported at the following institutes: Folger Shakespeare Library 1685, 1700; Huntington 1671, 1678 ; Bodleian Oxford 1655, 1657, 1658, 1659, 1662, 1664, 1666, 1669, 1670, 1672, 1673, 1674, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1680, 1684, 1686, 1690, 1692, 1694, 1695, 1699, 1708; William Andrews Clark Memorial Library 1683; British Library 1679, 1681, 1687, 1698, 1722, 1735, 1742; Harvard 1689, 1696; and Cambridge University 1667 (Trinity College), 1702, 1707, 1731, 1737.

By 1683 the title had been greatly extended to read: A new almanack, for the year of our Lord God (year). Being bissextile, or leap-year, and from the worlds creation, according to Sacred Writ, (year) years. Composed and chiefly referred to the famous city of London; but (without sensible error) may serve for any other place in Great Brittain. Adorned with a compendious chronology of things worth remembrance, since the creation to this present year; as also, the weather, the sun & moons rising & setting, with the high-ways, &c. and many other useful things, proper for such a work. The like not extant by any other, being of general use for all men. The volume was still Made and set forth by F. Perkins, student in the mathematicks and published in London: printed for the Company of Stationers.

A number of different printers were identified during this time, e.g. : Printed by R.I. for the Company of Stationers  (1655, 1657, 1658, 1659, 1666), printed by J. S. for the Company of Stationers,  (1662), printed by E.L. [and Robert White] for the Company of Stationers (1671, 1678), printed by Elizabeth Leach, for the Company of Stationers (1672), printed [by R. Everingham] for the Company of Stationers (1680, 1685, 1694), Printed by R.B. for the Company of Stationers, (1707), printed by R. Brugis, for the Company of Stationers (1708, 1725), Printed by John Tilly, for the Company of Stationers (1730, 1737, 1742). 

           

  

All illustrations courtesy of Internet Archive: 1657 original at the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library.