TUER, Andrew White (1838-1900) — London
Printer & publisher; print collector; author. For work published with Abraham Field as ‘Field & Tuer, The Leadenhall Press’, see the entry for Field. Tuer also produced ‘Old London street cries and the cries of today’ 1885; ‘Bartolozzi and his works : a biographical and descriptive account of the life and career of Francesco Bartolozzi’ (see BME 2011) 1885; ‘1,000 quaint cuts : from books of other days’ 1886; ‘The book of delightful and strange designs : being one hundred facsimile illustrations of the art of the Japanese stencil-cutter’ 1893;’ History of the horn-book’ 1896; ‘Pages and pictures from forgotten children’s books’ 1899, etc.
Born in Foyle Street, Sunderland, 24 Dec 1838, the son of Joseph Robertson Tuer (1809-1848), a draper, and his wife, Jane White Taft (1810-1842). Orphaned in childhood, he was raised by an uncle, Andrew White, whose name he added to his own. Educated in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and later in York, but after some medical training turned to publishing. He was recorded as a stationer, living with an uncle, in Mile End in 1861. In partnership with Abraham Field as ‘Field & Tuer’ from 1862, producing high quality printing and facsimiles of older material inspired by Tuer’s antiquarian interests and fascination with the history of printing. He testified at the Mansion House in 1862 and then at the Old Bailey in 1863 concerning the attempted forgery of Polish monetary coupons (London Evening Standard, 31 Dec 1862, Morning Herald, 5 Feb 1863). Tuer founded the Paper and Printing Trades Journal in 1877 and the Printers’ International Specimen Exchange in 1880. A Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, he was a regular correspondent to the more serious journals on a wide range of topics, and also the inventor of the highly successful “Stickphast” glue. The partnership was also important in recognising the talents of the young Jerome K. Jerome and publishing his earliest works. His home in Notting Hill Square was four doors from that of the artist William Luker (1867-1951), who illustrated many of the Leadenhall Press books. The partnership was formally dissolved 25 Mar 1890. His collection of prints was dispersed at auctions in 1881 and 1884, while his library was sold at Sotheby’s in July 1900. Tuer married Thomasine Louisa Louttit (1844-1926), daughter of the Controller of Accounts, H. M. Customs, 10 Oct 1867 at St. Mary, Bromley St. Leonard. He died at home 24 Feb 1900 and was buried at Kensal Green. His estate of £72,176 made provision for his widow, a sister-in-law, and eventually the London Hospital.
136 Minories — 1862-1868
50 Leadenhall Street — 1868-1900
— Marrington Road, Bromley St. Leonard (home) — 1871
— 20 Notting Hill Square (home) — 1881
— 18 Notting Hill Square (home) — 1890
— 18 Campden Hill Square (home) — 1897-1900
BM. BNA. Census 1851-1891. EWP. LG. LHD. ODNB.