Printing Comparisons

Travels into Several Remote Nations of the Word Print Comparison: 1726 v. 1731

In the modern day, five years is not incredibly long for printed work to change significantly. Yet in the 18^th century, five years certainly proved to be a growing period of printed work. Gulliver’s Travels, which was originally produced as Travels into Several Remote Nations of the Word, showcases many of these differences. To better understand this post will examine “Travels into several remote nations of the world” published for Benj. Motte, at the Middle Temple-Gate in Fleet-Street in both 1726 and 1731.

Before getting to the contents, one difference seen in the two versions is a map that is present in the 1731 version but is absent from the 1726 version until a few pages later, after the contents pages. The contents pages for both versions provide additional difference. Below are examples of both pages. The left is the 1726 version while the right is the 1731 version. The 1731 version employs a fancier starting text and design on the top of the page while the 1726 version only provides a drawing at the top of the page. The later version additionally has more words printed on the page, making it easier to read. The 1731 version in total is 280 pages while its predecessor is 369 pages. This design feature in the newer version would have most likely been easier for consumers to read and would have been more economical for publishers since they would not have been using as much paper for printing.

In addition to the amount of space used in printing, the design features additionally look different between the 1726 and 1731 versions. The beginning of part of Part III shows an addition of lines to the page in the 1731 version, indicating a separation of sections. Both versions have designs at the top of the page and for the first word of the sentence: “I”. But, it is clear that that the 1731 version has far more intricate detailing, smaller lines, and is more crisp. There is additionally more white space between the designs. This indicates the improving quality of printing materials in only a short amount of time.

Works Cited

Swift, Jonathan. Travels into several remote nations of the world. In four parts. By Lemuel

Gulliver, first a surgeon, and then a captain of several ships. ... Vol. 2, printed for Benj. Motte, at the Middle Temple-Gate in Fleet-Street, MDCCXXVI. [1726]. Eighteenth Century Collections Online, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CW0109096271/ECCO?u=umd_um&sid=ECCO&xid=1b598967&pg=2.

Swift, Jonathan. Travels into several remote nations of the world. In four parts. By Lemuel

Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of several Ships. ... Vol. 2, printed for Benjamin Motte, at the Middle Temple-Gate in Fleet-Street, M.DCC.XXXI. [1731]. Eighteenth Century Collections Online, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CW0109702011/ECCO?u=umd_um&sid=ECCO&xid=1388cda8&pg=4.