History of printing in Ipswich

For many years it was thought that this was the work of three printers, but more recent research has indicated there were but two, the third being a false imprint for books printed in continental Europe.

The earliest record of a "stationer", i.e. someone involved in the various activities of publishing, printing, bookbinding as well as the sale of books and writing materials is that of Reginald Oliver.

In the oldest extant book which claimed Ipswich as its place of publication in 1534 includes the sentence "Vxneunt Gypsuici in foro piscario, per Reginaldum Oliuerium" (Sold at Ipswich in the Fish Market by Reginald Oliver).

But he settled in Ipswich and became a man of substance through his stationery business, which was later carried on by Joyce Oliver.

He had previously been a partner of William Seres in London,[2] but came to Ipswich at the invitation of Richard Argentine.