Glasgow 1950 Penny Red Victorian Childrens Book Publishers Scottish Letter

chau3380  A remarkable collectable from 1850 being a fully hand written letter from James Lunsden & Sons in Glasgow and a debt residing from their dealings.  James Lumsden were Scottish engravers and book publishers (see information below) This fascinating handwritten ephemera is dated the 16th Oct 1950 and the owner knowing how collectable it was has prepared a full typed transcript which I am including for the new owner.  On the reverse it has an 1850 postmark from Glasgow (see image 2).  It has some wear (eg some aging) and is folded where originally posted but this is very good condition indeed and a unique Glasgow mid 1800s collectable for any local historian.
 

James Lunsden were a Scottish engraving and publishing firm founded in 1790 by James Lunsden, most known for its short runs of high quality printings of children's books. The firm also made bookbinders' finishing tools. When the elder James Lumsden retired in 1852, the company was taken over by his son James Lumsden (1808-1879). The younger Lumsden attended the University of Glasgow until 1821 when he entered the family business, becoming a partner in 1834. The younger Lumsden was knighted in 1868, becoming Sir James Lumsden of Arden. On Sir James's retirement in 1876 his son, also James Lumsden (1851-1911), took an interest in the firm.  The majority of books produced by them were sold to affluent families in Scotland and Northern England with their average book price of sixpence putting them beyond affordability for the average family.

The firm was one of the earliest to engage in the practice of releasing the same book under multiple-covers to increase sales, this practice has now meant that books published by Lumsden are highly collectible.