CHALMERS, James (1782-1853) — Dundee
Letterpress and lithographic printer; publisher; bookbinder; bookseller; stationer and ink-maker; musical instrument dealer. Regarded as the inventor of the adhesive postage-stamp. Published the Dundee Directory and Register for 1829-30, with a Plan of the town of Dundee — “The plan of the town which accompanies the Directory, although on a small scale, exhibits the new streets and other late improvements, and with the references, will, it is hoped, be found useful. It has been drawn and engraved on stone by Mr. Sime, land surveyor, and printed at the publisher’s Lithographic Press, and is the first attempt of the kind ever made in Dundee”. Also published a wide range of books, sermons, mercantile tables, etc.
Born at Arbroath, 2 Feb 1782. The business was founded by his brother, the bookseller William Chalmers (d.1809) in 1788, James taking over in 1805 and adding letterpress printing and ink manufacture to the bookselling. He had married Barbara Dickson (1781-1861) at Montrose in 1802. Admitted a burgess of Dundee 1809. He was much involved in local council affairs, serving as treasurer for several years, succeeding in speeding up mail deliveries, and campaigning for reform of the postal system. At a public meeting on 1 Jan 1846, he was presented with a claret jug, a salver, and a purse of fifty sovereigns for his efforts, his plans for a uniform postage rate and for his adhesive stamp. In the 1840s he also sold music and musical instruments. He was recorded resident with his wife, three children and two servants in both 1841 and 1851, in the latter year noted as employing eight men and six boys — his eldest son, also James Chalmers (1806-1868), among them. He died at Comley Bank, Dundee, 26 Aug 1853, aged seventy-one, and was buried in the old burying-ground 1 Sep 1853, where a memorial survives. His sons Charles Chalmers (1815-1872) and Robert Chalmers (b.1813, fl.1844-1856) emigrated to Montreal (see American Map Engravers), Charles returning to Dundee and subsequently taking over the business on the death of his father. Another son, Patrick Chalmers (1819-1891), later carried on a heated but inconclusive war of words with Pearson Hill, son of Sir Rowland Hill, as to which of their fathers had actually invented the adhesive stamp.
4 Castle Street, Dundee — 1809-1825
4 & 5 Castle Street, Dundee — 1829
— and 4 New Inn Entry, Dundee (ink manufactory) — 1829
— and 7 New Inn Entry, Dundee (printing office) — 1829
4 Castle Street, Dundee — 1834
— and Thom’s Close, High Street, Dundee (printing office) — 1834
10 Castle Street, Dundee — 1840-1853
— Constitution Road, Dundee (home) — 1841-1851
BNA. Census 1841-1851. Humphries & Smith. LHD. ODNB. Schenck. SBTI.