Personal printing plate of Mr David Bryce. [Glasgow]. Circa 1885.

Hand etched in flowing gothic script, "Mr. David Bryce" in reverse. Original printing plate in copper. 96 x 50 mm. The lettering is 45 x 9 mm. Unique David Bryce artefact. Originally produced for the owner of David Bryce and Son, Glasgow publishers of over a million miniature books until the company closed down in 1915. It is possible that this was used at some point in one of the production processes at the Glasgow publishing house but much more likely it was created for personal use. Whatever it's specific intended uses were, it has survived remarkably and now continues to clearly show the results of drawing Bryce's name through the original copper ground with an etching needle. It provides a rare physical link to the man who, as he himself described it, "descended to the miniature" to create the world's smallest Bibles and dictionaries. This item has impeccable documented provenance as having belonged to David Bryce: it was carefully and lovingly handed down within the direct family of David Bryce until finally disposed of in 2025 by the great-niece of David Bryce's grandaughter.