The True Briton, No. LII (December 30, 1723)
Estimated value
$150 - $350Rarity
Scarce(6/10)Category
BooksEra
1720-1730Origin
🇬🇧 United KingdomArtist / Creator
T. PAYNEAuthenticity
THE TRUE BRITON, NO. LII (DECEMBER 30, 1723): IDENTIFICATION
A single-sheet folio newspaper issue comprising two pages of printed text on handmade laid paper. The masthead features the title 'THE TRUE BRITON' in Roman capitals, flanked by classical Greek and Latin epigrams from Homer and Horace. The publication is dated Monday, December 30, 1723, and identifies the printer as T. Payne near Stationers-Hall. The text follows a double-column layout typical of 18th-century periodicals, utilizing archaic typography including the 'long s' (ſ), catchwords at the bottom of pages, and woodcut initial capitals.
Compare with other books in the archive: Atlas of Finland, Charles Dickens - Barnaby Rudge (The Standard Library Company Edition, circa 1890-1910).
CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS
Where This Object Echoes
The rise of the 'Public Sphere' where periodicals like The Spectator and The True Briton allowed for anonymous political dissent.
Ritual & Ceremonial Use
- •The 18th-century coffeehouse culture, where single-sheet newspapers were read aloud and debated extensively.
Meaning Through Time
A 'Briton' specifically referred to a political identity often used by those opposing the Hanoverian succession or Whig dominance.
EDITION & PUBLISHING HISTORY
COLLECTOR NOTES
Philip Wharton, the paper's founder, was largely responsible for its demise after he was found guilty of libel against the government in 1724.
The red stamp visible on the second page is a British duty stamp, a tax requirement reinstated in 1712 that eventually helped spark 'No Taxation Without Representation' sentiments in America.
SCARCITY
Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.
Rarity 6/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 1 books item at rarity 6 or higher.
Typical Characteristics
- Dozens per year at market
- Documented provenance valued
- Active collector pursuit
Confidence Factors
- Clear presence of chain lines and wire lines consistent with 18th-century handmade laid paper
- Evidence of letterpress indentation and ink squash typical of period relief printing
- Visible red duty stamp confirming legal period distribution
BIBLIOPHILE'S ASSESSMENT
Rare Book Dealer & Bibliographer
High confidence due to the distinct bibliographic markers, verifiable printer history, and visible physical characteristics of transition-era printing such as the duty stamp and laid paper texture.
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1Printer attribution to T. Payne at Stationers-Hall matches established bibliographic records for the series.
- 2Laid paper structure shows the 'Vergeures' (chain lines) expected from a pre-industrial paper mill.
- 3The presence of a specific issue number (LII) and date (Dec 30, 1723) aligns with the bi-weekly publication schedule of the Duke of Wharton’s journal.
- 4Usage of 'long s' (ſ) and terminal 'e' in 'Setts' remains consistent with early 18th-century orthography.
WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY
- →Check for a watermark by holding the sheet against a light source to further confirm the paper's origin.
- →Measure the sheet; standard folio size for this publication should be approximately 32-35 cm in height.
- →Consult the ESTC (English Short Title Catalogue) to verify the number of surviving institutional copies of Issue 52.
CONDITION & GRADE
Grading breakdown
The sheet remains supple with no major brittle fracturing. The presence of the tax stamp and clear, legible type with minimal bleed-through enhances the state.
Condition
The paper shows characteristic age-toning and moderate foxing across the sheet. Significant deckled edges are visible with some minor fraying and small losses at the margins, though the text block remains intact. A faint red tax stamp is visible in the upper left of the second page, indicating it was legally circulated according to the Stamp Act of 1712.
BOOK MARKET VALUATION
Updated: May 11, 2026
Who buys this
Collectors of early journalism, Jacobite history enthusiasts, and specialized 18th-century British political historians.
What increases value
- •The presence of the original tax stamp, which is highly desirable for ephemera collectors
- •The connection to the Duke of Wharton, a high-profile historical figure
- •Completeness of the two-page folio sheet without significant internal tears
What lowers value
- •Market for single-issue periodicals is thinner than for bound annual volumes
- •Foxing and marginal losses can deter top-tier condition-focused buyers
What makes top-tier examples
- •Absence of foxing and stains
- •Wider margins (untouched or 'as issued')
- •Clear, dark impression of the red duty stamp
Grade & condition
Condition is determined by the severity of foxing, clarity of the duty stamp, and the integrity of the margins.
Rarity & demand
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
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