“汤姆司中文铅活字”考论

Research on "Thoms Chinese Lead Type"

"汤姆司中文铅活字"是由英国东印度公司澳门印刷所聘请英国印刷技师汤姆司(Peter PerringThoms)负责监制的一批中文铅活字。其研制的缘起是为了《华英字典》的出版,它是中国境内最早的一套中文铅活字。英国东印度公司澳门印刷所关闭后,这批铅活字后被赠与美国海外宣教委员会广州印刷所,1856年毁于广州大火。"汤姆司中文铅活字"对中西文化交流产生过重要影响。

＂Thorns Chinese lead type＂ was superintended by Britain printing technician Peter Perring Thoms, who was invited by the Honorable East India Company＇ s Press in Macao. The origin of ＂Thoms Chinese Lead Type＂ was to print A Dictionary of the Chinese Language, it was the first one Chinese lead type in China. ＂Thorns Chinese lead type＂ was bestowed on the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions＇ press in Canton after the Honorable East India Company＇ s Press in Macao closed, and it was ravaged by fire in 1856. ＂Thoms Chinese lead type＂ played an important influence on Sino-western cultural exchanges.