Thomas+B.+Mosher

Publisher: Thomas B. Mosher 1852-1923 Photo of Thomas B. Mosher at age 49 Aldus Manutius' printer's mark Chiswick Press' printer's mark
 * Thomas Bird Mosher was an American publisher based out of Portland, Maine.
 * Similarities between the lives of Mosher and the life of Meredith.
 * He owned a stationary business and it was in this business that he acquired skills to be a publisher, such as finding sources of paper, learning about typography, and setting relationships with printers and binders.
 * In 1891, Mosher published his first book: //Modern Love// by George Meredith.
 * Connection to the Arts and Crafts movemennt--like Morris, Mosher believed in the beauty and design of the book, an attention to detail, and the idea of a book as a unit. However, unlike Morris, he favored simplicity and looked to books printed by the Chiswick Press, by Bodley Head, and by Aldus Manutius.
 * Bruce Rogers, an American book designer, called him the “Aldus of the 19th Century,” saying “I did mean the reference to Aldus seriously—for you have (to the despair of us all) succeeded in doing just what he did 400 years ago, almost to the year, i.e., making beautiful little editions of the best writers in inexpensive form.”

Thomas B Mosher's printer's mark
 * Smart businessman--Mosher chose to print books in what became 14 different series. This book is part of the Old World Series.
 * Notably, Mosher would offer a very limited number of copies on Japanese vellum and for his wealthiest customers he would produce unadvertised copies on real vellum.
 * "Pirate publisher"--Mosher would find texts he wanted to print and he would reprint them with or without the permission of their authors. In 1895, he became charged with literary piracy and his books were banned from England.
 * However, not all English authors were upset by his actions. George Meredith, in fact, was one of his proponents. In a letter to Mosher, Meredith wrote, “Sir, a handsome pirate is always half pardoned. And in this case he has only broken the upper laws. I shall receive with pleasure the copy of ‘Modern Love’ which you propose to send. I have it much at heart that works of mine should be read by Americans.”