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Alice Broad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alice Broad (fl. 1661–1664), was the first female printer in York, England. She was also known as Alice Broade.

Early life

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Alice Broad was the assumed widow of Thomas Broad (seventeenth century York printer) and took over the family printing business on his death in 1661.[1] The press was located opposite the Ye Olde Starre Inne on Stonegate, York.[2] 

Broad was York's first female printer,[3] and indeed the only printer in York from 1661 to 1664.  She remained the only female printer in the city for the duration of her career.

Printed publications

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Works produced by Broad included religious publications, instructional books, visitation articles, local interest and a range of other subjects.

The last extant printing is generally considered to be Scarbrough-Spaw, or a Description of the Nature and Vertues of the Spaw at Scarbrough, Yorkshire, published 1667.[4] There is no definitive evidence of any further publications until the publication of Northumberland visitation articles followed by a book of poetry with John White in 1680.[5] John White married Hannah, the assumed daughter of Alice in 1680.[6]

York Minster Library houses eleven of the seventeen extant publications by Broad.

Later life

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Broad's tools and presses went with Hannah Broad into her marriage with John White.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Davies, Robert, and Barr, Bernard. (1988). A memoir of the York press, with notices of authors, printers, and stationers, in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries; a facsimile reprint, with a new introduction and bibliography, by Bernard Barr. York: Spelman. p. 89. ISBN 095056351X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Sessions, William K. & E. Margaret. (1976). Printing in York: from the 1490s to the Present Day. York: Sessions. p. 22.
  3. ^ Print culture, agency and regionality in the hand press period. Basingstock: Palgrave Macmillan. 2022. p. 28. ISBN 9783030880545.
  4. ^ Sessions, William (1998). Thomas and Alice Broad(e): Parliamentary Printers of York from 1644 and their daughter Hannah. York: Sessions. p. 22.
  5. ^ Sessions, William (1998). Thomas & Alice Broad(e): Parliamentary Printers of York from 1644 and Their Daughter Hannah. York: Sessions. p. 24.
  6. ^ Sessions, William K. & E. Margaret (1988). Printing in York from the 1490s to the Present Day. York: Sessions. p. 24.
  7. ^ Print culture, agency, and regionality in the Hand Press Period. Basingstock: Palgrave Macmillan. 2022. p. 45. ISBN 9783030880545.