Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

CHAPTER XI.
PAPER-MARKS IN AND AFTER THE TIME OF FRANCIS BACON.
THE
paper-marks which have hitherto been noticed were
all used in manuscripts or printed books before Bacon began
to publish, and chiefly on the continent. Many of them
were retained or adopted by the members of his society. But
their use became immensely expanded and diversified, and it
will be seen that the Baconian literature contains these papermarks
so mixed (even within the covers of one volume) as to
dispose of the idea that a certain quantity of paper of one kind,
or with the mark of one maker, was apportioned for the printing
of a particular book. On the contrary, it seems to have
been almost the rule to use in one volume paper witli three different
marks, and each of these marks varied three or five
times. This system of mixture, or of ringing the changes upon
a certain set of patterns, makes it easy to establish a complete
chain of connection between the books belonging to the society.
Several of the marks are used as well by foreign as by English
printers.
There are three paper-marks which we have learnt especially
to associate with Francis Bacon and his brother Anthony.
They are to be seen throughout the printed books which we
ascribe to Francis, and one in particular is in the paper in
which he and Anthony, and their most confidential friends, corresponded,
whether in England or abroad. These marks are
1. The bunch of grapes.
2. The pot, or jug.
3. The double candlesticks.
The grapes and the pots appear, in somewhat rude forms, as
early as the fourteenth century. The candlesticks seem in their
earlier stages to have been towers or pillars. As candlesticks,
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