| Individual or organisational biography | George William Jones (18 May 1860-1942) was born in Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire to Emma nee Clarke and George Jones, a Blacksmith. In 1873 Jones began as a Printing Apprentice at Ebenezer Baylis and Son Ltd in Worcester. In 1879 the apprenticeship ended a year early due to Jones's ill health. In 1880 Jones moved to Sheffield and worked for several printers.
In 1883 Jones joined the Raithby and Lawrence printing house, Leicester. While there Jones supported and was an eager producer of The Printers' International Specimen Exchange by Raithby and Lawrence. In 1887 Jones set up The British Typographic, a society of printers with the aims of setting up libraries and discussions for those involved in the printing trade to enhance their skills and training. From 1888 Jones helped with The British Printer by Raithby and Lawrence which aimed to create elegant printed books and to develop an English style of page layout. Jones was Chief Typographic Designer at British Printer. At The British Printer, Jones and Robert Grayson developed the Leicester Free Style.
In 1889 Jones became an independent printer and publisher. In 1908, Jones sold his business which went on to become Sun Engraving and Co. Jones had his own printing press at The Sign of the Dolphin next to Dr Johnson's House in Gough Square, London which he founded around 1913. Jones developed Venezia typeface, which he printed only from his press.
In 1921, Jones worked for Mergenthaler Linotype Company to develop new high quality, elegant typefaces. He worked on Granjon, Estienne, Baskerville and Georgian typefaces. From 1921 to 1938, Jones advised Linotype and Machinery Ltd about printing. Jones' publications and work with Lithography demonstrated that fine, elegant works could be produced by lithograph.
Jones was also a pioneer in trichromatic halftone letterpress printing and produced the first British book using this process. Jones style is thought to have been influenced by Arts Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts Movement and particularly William Morris. Jones was inspired by Morris's simplicity of design. In 1927, Jones sold the punches and matrices of Venezia to Stephenson Blake. Jones later moved to Northwood, Middlesex where he had a notable library. In July 1936 he sold his library at Sotheby's and in 1938 sold his business, later relocating back to Worcestershire. Jones was regarded highly by his contemporaries as a creator of fine, elegant works. Jones's contemporaries referred to him as the master printer's printer. He died in 1942. |
| Custodial History | From the 1970s the London College of Communications Library's predecessors collected materials including this archive for students to view. It was transferred from the Library to the Archive and Special Collections Centre after 2007. |