File NLW MS 12021C. - Llythyrau,

One hundred and thirty holograph letters and imperfect letters, 1845-1864 and undated, written by J[ohn] Jones ('Pyll Glan Conwy'), together with some additions by his wife [Jane Jones]. The majority of the letters are written to his son Evan, printer, Portmadoc, but a few are addressed to others of his children, namely Catherine, Edward, Jane, Owen E[van(s)], and Eliza[beth Margaret]. Among the topics discussed by the writer are printing processes and the purchase of equipment; printing estimates; publications by the writer and by his son Evan; news of relatives and friends; money matters, with copious references to negotiations for loans; an invitation to Dublin Exhibition (1853); the purchase of writing slates; travelling booksellers; the exchange of publications with other publishers; an address by Kossuth; a legal action against Evan Jones; the revival of the Rifle Corps at Llanrwst; a lecture on Garibaldi by W[illiam] Rees ['Gwilym Hiraethog']; the writer's decision to discontinue the publication of books; the writer's health; the writer's gardening and farming activities; the boy Hartwell [i.e., Griffith Hartwell Jones, rector of Nutfield, Surrey]; etc. Also included in the volume are a holograph letter from D. O. D., Baptist Printing Office, Llangollen, from Bala, to [ ], 1852 (the writer's career as a printer, a recommendation for the bearer as a printer's apprentice); a holograph letter from O. Evans, Bethesda, to O. E. Jones, Llanrwst, [18]56 (personal); a holograph letter from Robert [ ], Llanrwst, to [Evan] Jones, Porthmad[o]c, undated (Llanrwst eisteddfod, the clearing of the office, personal); and a series of five 'englynion' [? to Evan Jones].