No 13 West Street

No 13 West Street

No 13 in 1880

The business of printer, bookseller and stationer was established at No 13 West Street in 1843 by Thomas Ball but had several subsequent owners and by 1864 had been taken over by John T Morris, who is pictured outside his premises circa 1880.

Morris, a native of Bourne, then described himself as a printer, bookseller, bookbinder, stationer, newsagent and dealer in fancy goods, but also had a salon for the sale of pianos, organs and harmoniums.

He was trading here for 50 years during which time his Bourne Almanac became a popular handbook, appearing first in 1864 and published continually for the next forty years, containing a complete directory of the town, a diary, train timetables, jokes and a vast amount of useful information and entertaining reading, including an illustrated record of Queen Victoria's reign. It was sold for 3d.

His son, T A (Birt) Morris, a photographer, was also associated with the business. John Morris died on 9th March 1916, aged 77, and the premises and printing works were eventually acquired in 1936 by Lorenzo Warner who went on to establish the printing firm Warners Midlands plc, one of Bourne's foremost industries employing 500 people. A mosaic bearing the name of newsagent's business which formerly occupied the premises can still be seen at the front door.

No 13 in June 2008

Doorstep mosaic

FROM THE ARCHIVES

To PRINTERS, BOOKSELLERS AND STATIONERS
To be disposed of with possession on the 1st January 1849.
A BUSINESS established upwards of five years in the above branches, and conducted by Mr Thomas Ball, in the West Street, Bourne. The stock of books, stationery etc., to be taken at a valuation, together with the printing materials which consist of a Demy Imperial Press, and type in metal from 25-lines pics to nonpareil, the whole having been lately purchased from the founders. The above would afford an excellent opportunity for an active young man to establish himself, there being only another printer in town. For further particulars apply at my office, Stamford, James Atter, solicitor. - public notice from the Stamford Mercury, Friday 29th December 1848.