‘THOMAS PIERREPONT OF LONDON STATIONER’: A London Printer Invests in Land

A London bookseller, noted for his scientific imprints, takes out a land lease. Thomas Pierrepont or ‘Thomas Pierrepont of London Stationer’ as he is referred to here in this vellum indenture was renting land from William Gunston for 12 years. Among his publications was a shared folio edition of Sidney’s Arcadia with George Calvert in 1655 when he was working at the sign of the Sun in St Paul’s Churchyard. Over time he would become better known for titles such as ‘Horometria of the Complete Diallist’ and ‘Trigometria Britannica’. The two land documents appears as follows:

1 Indenture, 1671, on vellum (66x60cm) recording a 12 year land lease between ‘Thomas Pierrepont of London Stationer’ and William Gunston; signed by Pierrepont at the foot of the vellum; seal missing. Witnessed by Sir Gerard User, Nicholas Wilkins and William Stretton to verso.

2 Articles of Agreement on paper (50x50cm) for the same 1671 land lease, signed by Usher, Bartholomew Pickering and Pierrepoint at the tail. Docket title to verso. Old folds, lower section detached.