The True Briton, No. LII (December 30, 1723)
Estimated value
$125 - $250Rarity
Scarce(6/10)Category
BooksEra
1723Origin
🇬🇧 United KingdomArtist / Creator
T. PAYNEAuthenticity
BETWEEN THE COVERS: THE TRUE BRITON, NO. LII (DECEMBER 30, 1723)
An original four-page jacobite-slanted periodical folio, printed by T. Payne in London. The masthead features classical Greek and Latin epigraphs from Homer and Horace, typical of Enlightenment-era political commentary. The paper shows the distinct tactile quality of 18th-century handmade rag paper, featuring a visible red duty stamp on the reverse, which was mandatory under the Stamp Act of 1712. The text is set in a classic Roman typeface with the characteristic 'long s' (ſ), arranged in a two-column format with a decorative woodblock initial 'W' on the front page.
LITERARY CROSSROADS
Where This Object Echoes
The use of Latin and Greek epigraphs to frame political debate.
Ritual & Ceremonial Use
- •Coffee house culture: such papers were often read aloud and debated in London coffee houses.
Meaning Through Time
A dangerous tool for sedition and Jacobite propaganda.
An archival record of the birth of the free press and political journaling.
BETWEEN THE COVERS
BETWEEN THE LINES
The Duke of Wharton, who founded this paper, was a notorious 'Hell-Fire Club' president known as one of the 18th century's greatest rakes.
The red stamp visible on the second page was a government tax mark; publishers hated these 'taxes on knowledge' intended to stifle political dissent.
HOW SCARCE IS IT?
Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.
Typical Characteristics
- Dozens per year at market
- Documented provenance valued
- Active collector pursuit
Confidence Factors
- Visible red 18th-century tax stamp is extremely hard to replicate correctly
- Paper texture and 'long s' typography are consistent with 1723 materials
- Provenance within a batch of old documents supports authentic age
BIBLIOPHILE'S ASSESSMENT
Rare Book Dealer & Bibliographer
The combination of the specific printer's mark, the tax stamp, and the material qualities of the paper provide high certainty that this is a period-original issue.
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1Presence of the red duty stamp (halfpence) on the reverse.
- 2Correct use of 'long s' (ſ) throughout the typesetting.
- 3Laid paper lines visible under magnification.
- 4Imprint 'Printed by T. PAYNE, near Stationers-Hall' matches known historical records for this title.
WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY
- →Check for a watermark by holding the paper up to a light source.
- →Store in an acid-free archival sleeve to prevent further browning/acidification.
CONDITION & GRADE
Grading breakdown
Paper remains structurally sound with no major losses; however, general discoloration (browning) and minor damp staining at the bottom corners prevent a 'Fine' grade.
Condition
Very good for its age; minor edge fraying and significant toning at the margins. The horizontal fold line is present but not broken. The red tax stamp is exceptionally clear.
Surface
Handmade laid paper with a deckled bottom edge, exhibiting typical age-toning and localized foxing. The ink shows slight oxidation and the characteristic 'bite' of a manual screw press into the rag fibers.
Weight & feel
Extremely lightweight and flexible, yet surprisingly durable due to the high cotton/linen rag content compared to modern wood-pulp paper.
BOOK MARKET VALUATION
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
Who buys this
Collectors of 18th-century British history, ephemera specialists, and those interested in the history of journalism or the Duke of Wharton.
What increases value
- •Clear date and issue number (LII)
- •Visible tax stamp (highly desirable for ephemera collectors)
- •Association with the controversial Duke of Wharton
What lowers value
- •Significant toning/discoloration can deter some high-end condition-focused collectors
- •Lack of archival storage may lead to further fragility
What makes top-tier examples
- •Unusually bright paper with minimal foxing
- •Full four-page uncut folio structure
- •Pristine strike of the government tax stamp
Grade & condition
Paper integrity, clarity of the imprint, presence of tax stamps, and degree of acid-burn or foxing.
Rarity & demand
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
CONTEXT ANALYSIS
How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.
What Aligned
- User stated 'T. PAYNE' - visible imprint at the foot of the last page confirms this attribution.
- User stated '1723' - the masthead date of December 30, 1723, and the content relating to the Duke of Wharton align perfectly.
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Kees van Dongen (after) - Ludmilla Pitoëff in 'Sainte Jeanne', 1925
Marino Marini (Italian, 1901-1980) - 'Il Greco', 1978
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