[Almanacks] An Introduction, and overview.

The 19th-century issues Bermuda Pocket Almanack offer a contemporary annual "snap-shot" of Bermudian life and society. The …Almanack was started in about 1845 by the important Bermudian publisher and printer of the Royal Gazette, Donald McPhee Lee (1804-1883), and continued by him until his death in 1883 when his son Gregory Vose Lee (1841-1898) took over . The earliest issues were about 60pp. and this increased slowly year-on-year until by 1869 (the date of the first work that we are offering) the page total had reached 104 pages; in 1871 - 112 pages; and 1873 - 116 pages. The information provided during this period is fascinating from many points-of-view: philatelic, Bermudan social and economic history and topography; Naval and Army history; the history of Atlantic trade, etc., but the range remained quite constrained until 1875 when the first …Pocket Almanack and Directory was published. This included more information on local businesses, and the amount of advertising by these businesses also increased significantly. The work was published under this title for six years from 1875 to 1880, and the increase in the information contained can be judged from the increasing size of the annual volumes: 1876 - 176 pp. In 1881 another change in the title (to … Pocket Almanack, Guide and Directory) signalled the final jump in the size of the work during the period covered by the present selection: 1881 - 244 pp.; 1884 - 230 pp.; 1885 - 226 pp.; 1889 - 260 pp.; 1893 - 284 pp. By 1893 the …Pocket Almanack had become a veritable font of knowledge: in addition to including and extending all the sections contained in the earliest issues, an annually revised "Tourist's Handy Guide" was added. Cf. Sabin 4908 (records the 1861 issue).

LEE, Donald McPhee (1804-1883, printer). The Bermuda Pocket Almanack, for the Year of Our Lord 1873. Hamilton, Bermuda: printed by D. McPhee Lee, at the office of the Royal Gazette, Reid and Burnaby Streets, "1873" [but ?1872]. 12mo. (156 x 102 mm.; 6 1/8 x 4 inches). Pp.1-112 (and 4 un-numbered pages), including 13 pp. of advertisements for Bermudian businesses. (Hole-punched at the upper inner corner throughout, without loss of text, light silver-fish damage to the outer blank margin of the title). Original dark blue paper wrappers, letterpress title printed in dark brown on upper cover, publisher's advertisement printed in dark brown on the lower cover (rebacked with adhesive tape, hole-punched at upper inner corners of covers, small tears to outer corners of covers). Provenance: James B. Heyl (inscribed on covers and verso of final leaf).

The Heyl copy of a very rare work: any 19th-century issues of this annual are rare, but there are no other copies of this particular year recorded in the British Library online catalogue or on the online worldwide resource, OCLC.

James B. Heyl, chemist, druggist and photographer, was the owner of the Apothecaries Hall (established 1847) at corner of Front & Queen streets. An American southerner he served until 1898 as the United States Vice & Deputy Consul in Bermuda. His name lives on in "Heyl's Corner", but he is perhaps best known today as one of the earliest photographers living and working on the island (his work covers a period between 1868 and 1897). A less well-known story relates more directly to the present work, and suggests that he was also the inventor or co-inventor of the fabled1d. Bermudian "Postmaster Provisional" stamps. He apparently suggested to his friend William Bennett Perot (Bermuda's first postmaster general) that rather than dealing with each letter individually he (Perot) should stamp a sheet with the official "Hamilton, Bermuda" ink stamp, then endorse each stamp with his signature and a note that the stamps were valued at 1d.: these sheets were then sold at a price decided by the number of endorsed stamps on each sheet and could be used by the buyer's at their leisure without having to bother Perot (who evidently preferred gardening to office work). The hole-punched nature of the present work perhaps suggests that this copy was tied up, but available in Heyl's establishment for clients to peruse.

The present Almanack for 1873 includes fascinating details of the postal system within and to and from the island (prices, "mail carriage" routes, steamer sailings, "receiving-house keepers" (essentially sub-post-offices). In addition there are details of the "Money Order System", a calendar with a mixture of local, national and historical events high-lighted; the names and positions of those in authority on the island (government and civil, legal, ecclesiastical, the army and the navy) - the military details given include (for the army) a list and prior service records of all the senior officers on the island, and (for the Royal Navy) a list of the senior officers and a list the vessels "on the station" with some details of their size, armament and the names and rank of the officers on board. Also included are details of the "Signals and Telegraphing" system (signal flags and balls); the "Military Electric Telegraph" including the "course of the line" around the island; the "Bermuda Light House"; taxes payable; "Public Salaries in Bermuda" (the Governor received £2,746 in total; the "Government House Keeper, St. George" got £10 annually); distances, average temperatures, weather; Pilots' names , and a table giving the charges for their services; an article "Recent Observations in the Bermudas" reprinted from Nature; "The Gardener's Calendar" for Bermuda; an article " Some of the many things worth seeing in Bermuda"; statistical tables; tables of births, deaths, trades and occupations; rates payable for passage and freight aboard the mail boats; "Table of Precedence"; "Distances by land in Bermuda, ascertained by a measuring wheel, in December 1872"; rainfall; patron, vice-patrons etc. of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club; consuls and commercial agents

LEE, Donald McPhee (1804-1883, printer). The Bermuda Pocket Almanack and Directory, for the Year of Our Lord 1876. Hamilton, Bermuda: printed by D. McPhee Lee, at the office of the "Royal Gazette", Reid and Burnaby Streets, "1876" [but ?1875]. 12mo. (175 x 102 mm.; 6 7/8 x 4 1/16 inches). Pp.1-176, including 10pp. printed on ochre paperstock ("Business Directory for … Hamilton and St. George"), and 24 pp. of advertisements for Bermudian businesses. (Stitching defective). Bound in lush quarter blue morocco with raised bands and gilt, letterpress title printed in a bright red/brown ink on upper cover, publisher's advertisement printed in dark brown on the lower cover (backstrip lacking, covers with small tears resulting in slight losses to the blank margins or corners). Provenance: indistinct early pencilled signature on title.

A rare work: any 19th-century issues of this annual are rare, but there are only three other copies of this particular issue recorded. There is no copy of this particular year recorded in the British Library online catalogue. The online worldwide resource, OCLC, notes three copies in collections at Yale, Harvard and the libraries of the University of Pennsylvania.

The present Almanack and Directory for 1876 includes fascinating details of the postal system within and to and from the island (prices, "mail carriage" routes, steamer sailings, "receiving-house keepers" (essentially sub-post-offices). In addition there are details of the "Money Order System"; the "Bermuda Savings Bank" (established in March 1872)a calendar with a mixture of local, national and historical events high-lighted; the names and positions of those in authority on the island (government and civil, legal, ecclesiastical, the army and the navy) - the military details given include (for the army) a list and prior service records of all the senior officers on the island, and (for the Royal Navy) a list of the senior officers and a list the vessels "on the station" with some details of their size, armament and the names and rank of the officers on board. Also included are "The Gardener's Calendar" for Bermuda; the "Business Directory"; catalogues of the "Sea and Land Shells' and the "Birds of Bermuda", statistical tables; tables of births, deaths, trades and occupations; rates payable for passage and freight aboard the mail boats; "Table of Precedence"; "Distances by land in Bermuda"; rainfall; patron, vice-patrons etc. of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club; consuls and commercial agents, a suggested "Bermuda Itinerary".

LEE, Donald McPhee (1804-1883, printer). The Bermuda Pocket Almanack and Directory, for the Year of Our Lord 1881. Hamilton, Bermuda: printed by D. McPhee Lee, at the office of the "Royal Gazette", Reid and Burnaby Streets, "1876" [but ?1875]. 12mo. (156 x 104 mm.; 6 1/8 x 4 1/8 inches). Pp.1-142 only (of 244), including 16pp. printed on ochre paperstock ("Business Directory for … Hamilton and St. George"), and 28 pp. of advertisements for Bermudian businesses. (Lacking the final leaf, and portions of two other leaves, wormtrack affecting five other leaves, some old creasing to corners of title and first ten leaves). Original light blue paper wrappers, letterpress title on upper outer cover, calendar on upper inner cover (lower cover lacking, backstrip defective, upper cover with small losses to the blank margins or corners).

A rare work: any 19th-century issues of this annual are rare, but there are only three other copies of this particular issue recorded: one in the British Library online catalogue. The online worldwide resource, OCLC, notes two further copies in collections at Yale and Harvard.

The present Almanack and Directory for 1881 includes fascinating details of the postal system within and to and from the island (prices, "mail carriage" routes, steamer sailings, "receiving-house keepers" (essentially sub-post-offices). In addition there are details of the "Money Order System"; the "Bermuda Savings Bank" (established in March 1872) a calendar with a mixture of local, national and historical events high-lighted; the names and positions of those in authority on the island (government and civil, legal, ecclesiastical, the army and the navy) - the military details given include (for the army) a list and prior service records of all the senior officers on the island, and (for the Royal Navy) a list of the senior officers and a list the vessels "on the station" with some details of their size, armament and the names and rank of the officers on board. Also included is an extensive section sub-titled "The Tourist's Handy Guide to Bermuda" with excursions, notes on how to get to Bermuda, where to stay, directions on getting around the island, general historical notes about the island and its architectural landmarks, lists of former governors and military commanders, ships stationed in Bermuda and regiments garrisoned on the island; scientific notes including catalogues listing the fish, shells, birds and plants to be found on the island; "The Gardener's Calendar" for Bermuda; the "Business Directory"; statistical tables; tables of births, deaths, trades and occupations; rates payable for passage and freight aboard the mail boats; "Table of Precedence"; "Distances by land in Bermuda"; rainfall; patron, vice-patrons etc. of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club; consuls and commercial agents; some details of the Masonic lodges, Oddfellows, Good Templars, and Good Samaritans.

[LEE, Gregory Vose (1841-1898, printer ?)]. The Bermuda Pocket Guide Almanack and Directory, for the Year of Our Lord 1884. Hamilton, Bermuda: printed at the office of the "Royal Gazette", Reid and Burnaby Streets, "1884" [but ?1883]. 12mo. (162 x 107 mm.; 6 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches). Pp.1- 230, including 16pp. printed on yellow paperstock ("Business Directory for … Hamilton and St. George"), and 41 pp. of advertisements for Bermudian businesses. Bound in lush quarter blue morocco with raised bands and gilt, original blue paper wrappers contained inside binding, letterpress title on upper outer cover, calendar on upper inner cover, table on lower inner table, map of "The Bermudas" on the outer lower cover (backstrip defective, some light discolouration to covers, the covers torn with some slight loss to the blank margins).

A rare work: any 19th-century issues of this annual are rare, but there is only one other copy of this particular issue recorded: the online worldwide resource, OCLC, notes a copy at Harvard.

The present Guide Almanack and Directory for 1884, the first to be published following the death of its founder Donald McPhee Lee, includes fascinating details of the postal system within and to and from the island (prices, "mail carriage" routes, steamer sailings, "receiving-house keepers" (essentially sub-post-offices). In addition there are details of the "Money Order System"; the "Bermuda Savings Bank" (established in March 1872)a calendar with a mixture of local, national and historical events high-lighted; the names and positions of those in authority on the island (government and civil, legal, ecclesiastical, the army and the navy) - the military details given include (for the army) a list and prior service records of all the senior officers on the island, and (for the Royal Navy) a list of the senior officers and a list the vessels "on the station" with some details of their size, armament and the names and rank of the officers on board. Also included is an article on "The Press in Bermuda 1784-1883", an extensive section sub-titled "The Tourist's Handy Guide to Bermuda" with notes on the visit of H.R.H. the Princess Louise to Bermuda in January -March 1883, excursions, notes on how to get to Bermuda, where to stay, directions on getting around the island, general historical notes about the island and its architectural landmarks, lists of former governors and military commanders, ships stationed in Bermuda and regiments garrisoned on the island; some scientific notes ;"The Gardener's Calendar" for Bermuda; the "Business Directory"; statistical tables; tables of births, deaths, trades and occupations; rates payable for passage and freight aboard the mail boats; "Table of Precedence"; "Distances by land in Bermuda"; rainfall; patron, vice-patrons etc. of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club; consuls and commercial agents; 2pp. "Bermuda Aquatics 1883"; some details of the Masonic lodges, Oddfellows, Good Templars, and Good Samaritans.

[LEE, Gregory Vose (1841-1898, printer ?)]. The Bermuda Pocket Guide Almanack and Directory, for the Year of Our Lord 1885. Hamilton, Bermuda: printed at the office of the "Royal Gazette", Reid and Burnaby Streets, "1885" [but ?1884]. 12mo. (177 x 106 mm.; 6 15/16 x 4 3/16 inches). Pp.1- 224 (+ 2), including 8pp. printed on yellow paperstock ("Business Directory for … Hamilton"), 8pp. printed on brown paperstock ("St. George's [business] Directory"). 1 folding wood-engraved view of "Trinity Church, Bermuda", and 41 pp. of advertisements for Bermudian businesses. Modern grey paper wrappers.

A rare work: any 19th-century issues of this annual are rare, but there is only one other copy of this particular issue recorded: the online worldwide resource, OCLC, notes a copy at Harvard.

The present Guide Almanack and Directory for 1885, includes fascinating details of the postal system within and to and from the island (prices, "mail carriage" routes, steamer sailings, "receiving-house keepers" (essentially sub-post-offices). In addition there are details of the "Money Order System"; the "Bermuda Savings Bank" (established in March 1872)a calendar with a mixture of local, national and historical events high-lighted; the names and positions of those in authority on the island (government and civil, legal, ecclesiastical, the army and the navy) - the military details given include (for the army) a list and prior service records of all the senior officers on the island, and (for the Royal Navy) a list of the senior officers and a list the vessels "on the station" with some details of their size, armament and the names and rank of the officers on board. Also included is an extensive section sub-titled "The Tourist's Handy Guide to Bermuda" with notes on the visit of H.R.H. the Princess Louise to Bermuda in January -March 1883, excursions, notes on how to get to Bermuda, where to stay, directions on getting around the island, general historical notes about the island and its architectural landmarks, lists of former governors and military commanders, ships stationed in Bermuda and regiments garrisoned on the island; some scientific notes ;"The Gardener's Calendar" for Bermuda; the "Business Directory"; statistical tables; tables of births, deaths, trades and occupations; rates payable for passage and freight aboard the mail boats; "Table of Precedence"; "Distances by land in Bermuda"; rainfall; patron, vice-patrons etc. of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club; consuls and commercial agents.

[LEE, Gregory Vose (1841-1898, printer ?)]. The Bermuda Pocket Almanack, Guide and Directory, for the Year of Our Lord 1889. Hamilton, Bermuda: printed at the office of the "Royal Gazette", Reid and Burnaby Streets, "1889" [but ?1888]. 12mo. (157 x 104 mm.; 6 3/16 x 4 1/8 inches). Pp.1- 256; i-iv, including 8pp. printed on yellow paperstock ("Business Directory for … Hamilton"), 8pp. printed on brown paperstock ("St. George's [business] Directory" with a note on "The Bermuda Telephone Company Limited"), 16pp. printed on dark grey/blue paperstock (advertisements). 1 map of the Atlantic Ocean, 1 plate of the interior of "Trinity Church, Bermuda", and 19 pp. of advertisements for Bermudian businesses (excluding the 16 pp. on coloured paperstock). (Splits and chips to grey/blue paperstock). Bound in lush quarter blue morocco with raised bands and gilt, original blue paper wrappers contained inside binding, letterpress title on upper outer cover, calendar on upper inner cover, table on lower inner table, map of "The Bermudas" on the outer lower cover (backstrip defective, partially repaired with adhesive tape rebacked with later blue cloth, small chips to covers with some slight loss to the blank margins). Provenance: A.A. Steele (early signature on upper cover).

A rare work: any 19th-century issues of this annual are rare, but there are only two other copies of this particular issue recorded: one in the British Library online catalogue. The online worldwide resource, OCLC, notes that there is a second copy in collection at Yale.

The present Almanack Guide and Directory for 1889, includes fascinating details of the postal system within and to and from the island (prices, "mail carriage" routes, steamer sailings, "receiving-house keepers" (essentially sub-post-offices). In addition there are details of the "Money Order System"; the "Beruda [sic.] Savings Bank" (established in March 1872); a calendar with a mixture of local, national and historical events high-lighted; the names and positions of those in authority on the island (government and civil, legal, ecclesiastical, the army and the navy) - the military details given include (for the army) a list and prior service records of all the senior officers on the island, and (for the Royal Navy) a list of the senior officers and a list the vessels "on the station" with some details of their size, armament and the names and rank of the officers on board. Also included is an extensive section sub-titled "Bermuda Generally. The Tourist's Handy Guide" with notes excursions, notes on how to get to Bermuda, where to stay, directions on getting around the island, general historical notes about the island and its architectural landmarks, lists of former governors and military commanders, ships stationed in Bermuda and regiments garrisoned on the island; some scientific notes ;"The Gardener's Calendar" for Bermuda; the "Business Directory"; statistical tables; tables of births, deaths, trades and occupations; rates payable for passage and freight aboard the mail boats; "Table of Precedence"; "Distances by land in Bermuda"; rainfall; patron, vice-patrons etc. of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club; consuls and commercial agents.

LEE, Gregory Vose (1841-1898, printer). The Bermuda Pocket Almanack, Guide and Directory, for the Year of Our Lord 1893. Hamilton, Bermuda: printed by Greory V. Lee, at the office of the Royal Gazette, Reid and Burnaby Streets, "1893" [but ?1892]. 12mo. (160 x 103 mm.; 6 5/126 x 4 1/8 inches). Pp.1-284, including 8pp. printed on red paperstock ("Business Directory for … Hamilton"), 4pp. printed on brown paperstock ("St. George's [business] Directory") and 40pp. of advertisements, for Bermudian businesses. (Some light browning, occasional small marginal tears). Original blue paper wrappers, letterpress title on upper outer cover, calendar on upper inner cover, table on lower inner table, map of "The Bermudas" on the outer lower cover (rebacked with later blue cloth, some discolouration to covers, the upper cover torn with some slight loss to the blank margins).

Very rare: any 19th-century issues of this annual are rare, but there are no other copies of this particular year recorded in the British Library online catalogue or on the online worldwide resource, OCLC.

The present Almanack Guide and Directory for 1893, includes fascinating details of the postal system within and to and from the island (prices, "mail carriage" routes, steamer sailings, "receiving-house keepers" (essentially sub-post-offices). In addition there are details of the "Money Order System"; the "Beruda [sic.] Savings Bank; a calendar with a mixture of local, national and historical events high-lighted; the names and positions of those in authority on the island (government and civil, legal, ecclesiastical, the army and the navy) - the military details given include (for the army) a list and prior service records of all the senior officers on the island, and (for the Royal Navy) a list of the senior officers and a list the vessels "on the station" with some details of their size, armament and the names and rank of the officers on board. Also included is an extensive section sub-titled "Bermuda Generally. The Tourist's Handy Guide" with notes excursions, notes on how to get to Bermuda, where to stay, directions on getting around the island, general historical notes about the island and its architectural landmarks, lists of former governors and military commanders, ships stationed in Bermuda and regiments garrisoned on the island; some scientific notes ;"The Gardener's Calendar" for Bermuda; the "Business Directory"; statistical tables; tables of births, deaths, trades and occupations; rates payable for passage and freight aboard the mail boats; "Table of Precedence"; "Distances by land in Bermuda"; rainfall; patron, vice-patrons etc. of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club; consuls and commercial agents.