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1792 The London Chronicle Newspaper Samuel Johnson State Lottery French Revolution Georgian England
$120.00
This is an original issue of The London Chronicle, No. 5527, published in London January 21–24, 1792, during the reign of George III.
This complete 8-page newspaper provides an unusually detailed glimpse of British and European life at the end of the 18th century. The front page is headed The London Chronicle and bears the original printed price “Price Four-pence.”
One of the principal articles is devoted to Samuel Johnson (1709–1784), the celebrated English writer, critic and lexicographer best known for his Dictionary of the English Language. The lengthy biographical account discusses Johnson's life, education and literary career and continues into the newspaper.
Another particularly interesting section concerns the British State Lottery of 1791–92. It lists licensed lottery-ticket sellers and gives the lottery scheme in considerable detail, including the number and value of prizes, with a top prize of £30,000 and a stated total of £500,000 in 50,000 tickets.
The newspaper was published during the French Revolution, and its foreign intelligence provides contemporary reporting on the rapidly changing European political situation. A report from Paris dated January 19 discusses Jacques Pierre Brissot and the French National Assembly, relations with the Emperor, émigrés and preparations for possible military action — only months before France entered the revolutionary wars of 1792.
Other contents include reports from London and elsewhere in Britain and Europe, shipping and maritime news, crime, court proceedings, bankruptcies, stock prices, theatre, books and publications, deaths, advertisements and other notices. Together they provide a fascinating contemporary record of everyday Georgian Britain.
Of additional interest is an original red British newspaper revenue stamp printed at the bottom of the second page. The elaborate fiscal mark incorporates the royal arms and repeated “HALF PENNY” lettering and relates to the government taxation of newspapers. The newspaper itself is clearly priced fourpence on the front page. The surviving revenue stamp is an interesting feature of 18th-century British printing and fiscal history.
The final page retains the London publisher's imprint for T. Wilkie, No. 71, St. Paul's Church-yard.
Date: January 21–24, 1792
Issue: No. 5527
Pages: 8
Original price: Fourpence
Place of publication: London, England
Condition: Original 1792 newspaper showing age-related toning, a bit of creasing and general handling wear. The pages remain remarkably legible, with strong printing throughout. Please examine the photographs carefully for condition.
An interesting original Georgian newspaper with several collecting areas represented in a single issue: Samuel Johnson, the British State Lottery, French Revolution-era European news, Georgian social history and British newspaper taxation.
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1792-london-chronicle-newspaper-samuel-johnson-state-lottery
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1792 London Chronicle Newspaper | Samuel Johnson & State Lottery
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Original 1792 London Chronicle newspaper, 8 pages, with Samuel Johnson biography, State Lottery details, French Revolution news and British revenue stamp.