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PRINTING AND PUBLICATION OF BALLADS. |
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Ballads are of great value in recording topical events that would
otherwise have little hope of survival. Many have completely
vanished. Many were doggerel composed by semi-literate writers;
others were produced by poets of considerable stature. They
were sung by pedlars at market places and fairs after which
the printed leaflets were offered for sale. The new social patterns introduced into
the Glamorgan Valleys by the industrial revolution are reflected in the history
of local ballad writing. Gradually the impact of non-conformity altered the public
taste in favour of hymn writing, but nevertheless, ballads retained their popularity.
They satisfied a taste for the macabre and the sordid. They dealt with murder, fearful
accidents, courtship, politics, religion etc. Some are revealing e.g. ‘Complaint
of colliers for not being paid for small coal’. The poor were able to express
their feelings through them. |
1861 |
It was established that some 700 persons in England and Wales
made their living through them. Sometimes the printed ballad was illustrated. The
most popular local themes included economic distress, opening of new collieries,
accidents, etc. The printers in Aberdare were among the foremost in Wales in publishing
these popular songs.
1 J.T. Jones & Co
2 Mills & Lynch
3 Jenkin Howell
4 D.P. Richards
5 Walter Lloyd & Son (the most prolific of all)
The following are a few examples of the ballads published:
“History of the Gay Landlady, a Publican’s Wife & Tailor from
Aberdare” |
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Pennillion ar Briodas |
Execution of David Rees at Carmarthen |
Cyfaill Y Gweithiwr |
Galargan ar ol Y Mochyn Du |
Y Twll Bach Dan y Trwyn |
Nos Sadwrn y Pay |
The Maid of Aberdare |
Peryglon y Colier |
Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn |
Welsh translation of Burns’ Highland Mary |
Damwain ym Mhwll Lefel yr Afon, Abernant Rhagfyr
1896 |
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A CONCLUDING NOTE ON PUBLISHING AND PRINTING AND NEWSPAPERS
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 20th CENTURY |
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According to the scrapbook of the Rev R.J. Jones now in the Cardiff
Library (Ms.4-204), the following are listed as printing offices
in Aberdare in 1902, all were recognized by the Aberdare Typographical
Society: |
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G.M. Evans Tarian |
Jenkin Howell, Victoria Square |
Haylings & Co., Canon St. |
W.J.G. Evans, Celt |
T. Howells (Hywel Cynon),
Lewis St., Aberaman |
Jones & Son, Victoria Square |
T. Codd, Canon St. |
J. Davies, Dean Street |
George Eynon, Cardiff St. |
Henry Thomas, Merchant St. |
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1902 |
Jenkin Howell printed the first issues of the Aberdare Leader
for Pugh and Rowlands. |
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Interesting Note. |
1884 |
A man called William Wilcox began in the printing trade in 1884.
His son, who began his apprenticeship in 1904, is still employed by Stephens and
George. |
1902 |
Messrs Pugh and Rowlands started The Aberdare Leader. |
1903 |
The Aberdare Leader announced the forthcoming amalgamation of
the Leader and |
1903 Feb |
The Aberdare Times. The new journal was issued from the Leader’s
new office in Market Street. Its claim to be the only English newspaper to be published
in the valley was short-lived. |
1906 Mar 10 |
Saturday: The first issue of the Aberdare and Mountain Ash Weekly
Post appeared. It was printed by James Parry at 14 Canon Street and published by
Watkin Davies, 29 Cardiff Street. |
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