Important Manuscripts, Continental Books and Music

Important Manuscripts, Continental Books and Music

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 113. Enschede, Proef van letteren, Haarlem, 1768, contemporary half calf.

Books from the Library of the Earls of Haddington, lots 105-131

Enschede, Proef van letteren, Haarlem, 1768, contemporary half calf

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