Important Manuscripts, Continental Books and Music
Important Manuscripts, Continental Books and Music
Books from the Library of the Earls of Haddington, lots 105-131
Auction Closed
December 3, 04:27 PM GMT
Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Books from the Library of the Earls of Haddington, lots 105-131
ENSCHEDÉ, JOHANNES
Proef van Letteren, welke gegooten worden in de Nieuwe Haerlemsche Lettergietery van J. Enschedé (Oude Hollandsche Letteren). Haarlem: Enschedé, 1768
2 parts in one volume, 8vo (209 x 124mm.), engraved frontispiece, engraved vignette on first title-page, engraved portrait of Enschedé, 4 further engraved portraits (all relating to Coster), 77 leaves of typographical specimens and ornaments, 8pp. of prices, folding engraved plate depicting the foundry, contemporary half calf
A fascinating work on typography, previously issued in 1757. Most of the samples of type give the name of the designer and the date (they are mostly by J.M. Fleischman). Enschedé (1708-1780) was a Dutch printer who believed Hadrianus Junius's story that printing had been invented by Laurens Coster of Haarlem rather than Gutenberg, hence the portraits of Coster and Junius included in this work. The Enschedé firm became the greatest letter foundry in Europe and it still exists today albeit in a different guise.
LITERATURE:
Bigmore & Wyman p.202
PROVENANCE:
Binning, inscription on title-page dated 1772