Beschreibung:

The Royal Gazette. Jamaica, published by Alexander Aikman, volume X, numbers 1-52, December 29th 1787-December 27th 1788, a bound volume of 52 issues of the weekly newspaper, each with accompanying supplement and postscript, forming one complete year, generally 20 pages to each issue, including Supplement and Postcript, printed in three columns throughout, with occasional excisions, some minor waterstains and other marks, contemporary boards, worn (all the original leather binding now lacking), thick 4to An important volume of this English newspaper published in Jamaica, providing current information and news from colonial America, extracts from the London Gazette and the Cornwall Chronicle (Jamaica), reports from British Parliament, advertisements of ships sailing from Kingston to England and other parts of the world, lists of imports and prices, slaves for sale, and announcements of runaway slaves, the advertisments occasionally illustrated with small woodcut illustrations. Alexander Aikman was the brother of William Aikman a bookseller and printer in Annapolis, Maryland, originally from Scotland. Due to the upheavals of the American Revolution, William Aikman left for the West Indies in September 1775, and in partnership with David Douglass (founder of the Old America Company, a theatrical company) first published the Jamaica Mercury between May 1779 and April 1780, after which time its name was changed to The Royal Gazette. Alexander took over the editorship of the newspaper after the death of his brother in 1784. This rare newspaper contains important information on the trading economy of Jamaica and its colonial administration, and includes regular and extensive advertisements of slaves for sale, and lists of runaway slaves, with their names and owners. We have been unable to trace another copy of this newspaper for the year 1788. (1)