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  • The publishing house 'Gwasg Gee' was established by Thomas Gee (1815-98) at Swan Lane, Denbigh, during the 1830s. His father already owned a printing business of his own in the town and Thomas returned from a period as an apprentice printer in London to join the company. His press was one of the most productive in nineteenth-century Wales, publishing mainly Welsh-language, Nonconformist materials. In 1857 Gee launched his newspaper 'Baner Cymru', which later became known as 'Baner ac Amserau Cymru' following its incorporation of 'Yr Amserau' in 1859. Following his death, the business remained in the hands of the Gee family until 1914. It then passed to a number of owners, including the novelist Kate Roberts and her husband Morris Williams who bought the business during the 1930s.
Gwasg Gee, Denbigh
  • The publishing house 'Gwasg Gee' was established by Thomas Gee (1815-98) at Swan Lane, Denbigh, during the 1830s. His father already owned a printing business of his own in the town and Thomas returned from a period as an apprentice printer in London to join the company. His press was one of the most productive in nineteenth-century Wales, publishing mainly Welsh-language, Nonconformist materials. In 1857 Gee launched his newspaper 'Baner Cymru', which later became known as 'Baner ac Amserau Cymru' following its incorporation of 'Yr Amserau' in 1859. Following his death, the business remained in the hands of the Gee family until 1914. It then passed to a number of owners, including the novelist Kate Roberts and her husband Morris Williams who bought the business during the 1930s.
Gwasg Gee, Denbigh
  • This song-book was published by Gwasg Gee, Denbigh, in 1887. The songs all relate to the 'Tithe Disturbances' which took place in the counties of Denbigh and Flint during the period 1886-90. Tithes were payments made by parishoners 'in kind' in order to support their clergymen; this meant presenting the local vicar with a tithe (a tenth) of the crops produced. These payments were the source of considerable discontent among the people of rural Denbighshire and Flintshire, many of whom were Nonconformists and resented having to make such contributions to the Anglican Church. A number of farmers refused to pay their tithes, leading to widespread protests and confrontations with the authorities. Thomas Gee (1815-98), the owner of the publishing company Gwasg Gee, was a leading opponent of the 'tithe' payments and it is not surprising therefore that he supported the campaign by publishing this volume of protest songs.
'Caneuon y Degwm' (Tithe Songs) (1887) [front cover, image 1 of 19]
  • These are Gregynog Press special bindings. The volume on the right is 'Fables of Aesope' by William MacCance (1894-1970), published by the Gregynog Press in 1931. Three of Britain's most technically brilliant and imaginative wood-engravers worked at Gregynog between 1930 and 1933, namely, Blair Hughes Stanton, Gertrude Hermes and Agnes Miller Parker. The book on the left is 'Erewhon' by Samuel Butler with wood engravings by Blair Hughes Stanton. Published by Gregynog, 1932
Special bindings from the Gregynog Press, 1931-2
  • Here are a selection of pages from the English translation of 'Canwyll y Cymry' (The Welshman's Candle) by Rhys Prichard (1579-1644). Some of these verses were originally published by Stephen Hughes, a Puritan minister, and the volume 'Canwyll y Cymry', published in 1681, became as important to the people of Wales as the translation of 'Taith y Pererin' (Pilgrim's Progress) by John Bunyan. Rhys Prichard was a native of Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, where he served as a minister for a number of years. His verses were greatly influenced by the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer and the author's aim was to incorporate rural life within the framework and articles of faith of the Established Church. He emphasised that the way to praise God was to work hard, respect the King and obey authority. His verses were aimed at farmers, travellers, soldiers, drunkards and adulterers, among others, and had titles such as 'Cyngor i'r dyn ifanc cyn iddo fynd i garu' (Advice to the young man before he sets out in search of love). The volume was translated into English by William Evans, vicar of Llanhawden, Pembrokeshire, in 1771 and was printed by John Ross, one who had a great influence on the history of printing in Wales. John Ross had previous experience as a printer in London, and was the first of a generation of professional printers who replaced the amateurs who undertook such work previously. Sources: Meic Stephens (ed.), 'The New Companion to the Literature of Wales' (Cardiff, 1998) and Phillip Henry Jones and Eiluned Rees (eds.), 'A Nation and its Books: a history of the book in Wales' (Aberystwyth, 1998)
'The Welshman's Candle' by Rhys Pritchard: English translation, 1771, title page [image 1 of 58]
  • Welsh-language version of the volume 'The adventures and vagaries of Twm Shon Catti' by T. J. Llewelyn Prichard. The English volume was originally published in 1828 but this Welsh adaption by Eilonydd was published in 1872 by John Pryse of Llanidloes. On the following pages you can see the eight woodcuts from the volume by E. Salter. Twm Siôn Cati or Thomas Jones (c. 1530-1609) was a native of Borthyffynnon, near Tregaron. He was a poet, antiquarian and genealogist, who served as steward of the lordship of Caron. Twm Siôn Cati is best known, however, for his reputation as a highwayman or thief. A number of folk tales and myths grew around his activities, and he was dubbed, rightly or wrongly, the 'Welsh Robin Hood' who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor.
Title page from Welsh-language version of 'Twm Shon Catti', 1872 [image 1 of 9]