John Vine Hall’s business letter book 1805–1814

John Vine Hall (1774–1860) started his career as a bookseller’s errand boy in Maidstone in the 1780s. He later became clerk and agent to a wine merchant for several years and was then able to purchase a bookseller’s business in Worcester in 1804. He traded there as both a bookseller and a wine merchant. The letter book gives details of his business activities in Worcester until 1814 when he was able to return to Maidstone to take over his former master’s business.

Richard Goulden presents a biography of John Vine Hall up to his return to Maidstone in 1814, followed by a transcription of the Worcester letter book. These business records include his troubles as a wine merchant with both suppliers and customers and his orders for books and stationery from London wholesalers, including some for musical instruments.

Electronic version published by the Bibliographical Society, September 2026.
A4: viii + 117 pp., 2 illustrations.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22237474
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