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The Gloucester Journal – first edition
On Monday 9th April 1722, the first Gloucester Journal was published. It had a woodcut title-page image – one of the few times any illustrations were used. The newspaper was thin (only 4 pages) and like many newspapers (then and now!) it was largely a ‘cut & paste’ job; as it took news from other papers, notably the London Gazette. It cost the grand sum of 3d – about £1.50 today. The headline stated ‘To the Gentlemen of the City and County of GLOUCESTER.’ While the cover image portrayed the God Mercury with the City of Gloucester arms lower right. Mercury is the god of financial gain, commerce, eloquence, messages, communication (including divination), travellers, boundaries, luck, trickery and thieves; he also serves as the guide of souls to the underworld. He probably still works for today’s tabloids!
GA Ref.No: GJ/1722
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