He accumulated pamphlets, newspapers, handbills, and every other kind of political publication. He initially engaged in standard lithographic business of printing sheet music, letterheads, handbills, etc. The inscription is based on handbills printed on the Thames during the frost fairs. Merchants hawk their wares by calling out to the crowd or passing out small handbills. Spofford even distributed handbills alongside Glover to promote the book. Skyler is sick with worry and has been distributing handbills with Walt's photo. Advances in printing allowed retailers and manufacturers to print handbills and trade cards. He wrote articles in and published anonymous handbills. Fischer was charged with printing handbills to announce the meeting. Virgil later said that McLaury had asked him if he had posted the handbills. Twenty-seven different versions of the Coffin Handbills have been located to date.