Title
The Keepsake for 1839, the first specimen of the Hancock patent method of bookbinding
Reference
HANC/2/4
Production date
01-01-1839 - 31-12-1839
Creator
- Hancock, WilliamBiographyBiography
(1789-1848), Cabinetmaker
William Hancock was born the fourth son of James Hancock, a cabinetmaker from Marlborough. Few firm details are known about his life. He established a cabinet-making and upholestery business in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk from 1815. His cabinet-making work is known to include an elm cabinet of 'superior beauty' that was presented to King George IV in 1825 and which remains in one of the private state apartments in Buckingham Palace. He was however declared bankrupt on 2 June 1821. He allegedly made the first set of inflatable rubber cushions for the Houses of Parliament between 1834 and 1840. He also developed the Hancock company’s production of perfect binding for books which was patented in 1836.
William Hancock died on the 20 June 1848 in Milton, Gravesend.
Scope and Content
Printed and bound version of the Keepsake for 1839. This is the first specimen of the Hancock patent method of bookbinding
Extent
1 volume
Physical description
Text block separated from binding
Language
English
Level of description
ITEM
Repository name
Science Museum, London
Associated people and organisations
- Hancock, WilliamBiographyBiography
(1789-1848), Cabinetmaker
William Hancock was born the fourth son of James Hancock, a cabinetmaker from Marlborough. Few firm details are known about his life. He established a cabinet-making and upholestery business in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk from 1815. His cabinet-making work is known to include an elm cabinet of 'superior beauty' that was presented to King George IV in 1825 and which remains in one of the private state apartments in Buckingham Palace. He was however declared bankrupt on 2 June 1821. He allegedly made the first set of inflatable rubber cushions for the Houses of Parliament between 1834 and 1840. He also developed the Hancock company’s production of perfect binding for books which was patented in 1836.
William Hancock died on the 20 June 1848 in Milton, Gravesend.
Conditions governing access
Open Access
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions
Finding aids
Box 2
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