The Origin and Progress of Writing. As well hieroglyphic as elementary, illustrated by engravings taken from marbles, manuscripts and charters, ancient and modern: Also, some account of the origin and progress of printing. By Thomas Astle, Esq. F.R.S. F.S.A. and Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London.

Bookseller Notes

Regarded by William Lowndes as the 'completest work on the subject of writing extant in this or any other language', 'The Origin and Progress of Writing' was considered 'an authoritative source for the history of writing well into the nineteenth century, and was last reprinted in 1876' (ODNB). Drawing from Astle's own extensive collection, the fine facsimile engravings were produced by Benjamin Thomas Pouncy, a draughtsman and engraver better known for his landscapes and topographical watercolours but whose work here is considered 'of exceptional quality' (ODNB).As described by Horace Walpole, 'In the paper office, there is a wight, called Thomas Astle, who lives like moths on old parchments' (letter to Rev. William Mason, Dec 21 1775 (Walpole's Correspondence, Yale Edition, 28.238)). Astle (17351803) was an archivist, antiquary, a noted collector of books and manuscripts, and a fellow of both the Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Society.In 1763 George Grenville, then prime minister and chancellor of the exchequer, nominated Astle alongside Sir Joseph Ayloffe and A. C. Ducarel to report on the public records held in the state paper office, which lead to a standing commission to superintend the materials held therein, and a similar commission to the same in the augmentation office. Subsequently, Astle was consulted by the House of Lords in regarding the publication of ancient parliamentary records, which resulted in the Lords' decision to publish the rolls of parliament - a slow undertaking, the six volumes of 'Rotuli parliamentorum, ut et petitiones, et placita in parliamento [12781503]' finally achieving publication in 1783, the same year that Astle was appointed Keeper of the Records.Astle amassed an outstanding private collection of charters, manuscripts and facsimiles as well as printed books, incorporating the collection of his father-in-law, the historian and clergyman Philip Morant, following Morant's death in 1770. On Astle's death, his manuscripts were offered to George Grenville, first Marquess of Buckingham and son of Astle's former employer, for the nominal sum of 500, thus forming the basis of the Stowe manuscripts collection now held by the British Library.