Lot 1154
1154
BIBLIOGRAPHY - TYPOGRAPHY -- MEERMAN, G. Origines typographicae. The Hague, (etc.), N. v. Daalen, (etc.), 1765. 2 in 1 vol. xii, 260; viii, 312 pp. W. 2 portrs., 1 engr. coat of arms in the text, fold. table & 10 engr. plates (of which 1 fold). 4°. Cont. cf. w. dec. gilt spine w. raised bands & letterpiece.
One of the main early contributions to the history of the invention of printing. It deals with the early beginnings of printing at Haarlem, Mainz, Strassburg, etc. and quotes a great number of important sources and authorities. Famous in its time for promoting Laurens Coster in Haarlem as the inventor of printing. - Bigmore & Wyman II, 32-33: "Meerman very diligently consulted all the German, Spanish, Italian, French, English, Swiss and Dutch authors who treated of typography, (…). He was also in communication with eminent scholars in those countries, and obtained the benefit of their researches and advice. He had access to all the best libraries, public and private, and travelled in England, France, and Germany, to increase his knowledge of their subject. His work is noteworthy for the ingenious and happy manner in which he renders technical terms into the Latin language, in which the whole book is written. The ten fac-similes are executed with great care, and very curious, and give a good idea of the types used by the printers to whom he makes reference."€ 300
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