THREE PRINTED BALLAD TEXTS FROM BIRMINGHAM

Thomas Wood the printer was probably the son of Thomas Wood the bookseller (also, in 1790, Stationer, distributor, and medicine vendor and perfumer') whose shop was originally at 33 High Street, Birmingham, but before 1800 moved to no. 78. г His son the printer's address was first 9, but later 17, New Meeting Street, and on 29 January 1806 he was described as a printer of books, hand-bills, etc., with a press for printing copper plates, and as the owner of two presses.2 Before that date his imprint appeared in 1802 on a calendar of prisoners for trial, although in the following year his name appeared in a directory only as a stationer and book binder.3 Mr Roy Palmer has seen dated or datable specimens of his broadsides, of, or referring to events in, 1801, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1811, 1812 and 1817; apparently he continued in business until 1839.