Proclamations

Proclamations were the graphic means by which a central authority communicated its will to the public in a formal way. They were posted up in recognized places and in many cases their message was also read out loud by a town crier. This example forbids seamen to serve in foreign navies. Many were printed in black letter (Gothic) type in long lines and offered few linguistic and typographic concessions to readers.

Letterpress, printed by John Baskett, London, 1733