Buy this book on-line

Anonymous : A Pair on Printing : Atkyns' The Original and Growth of Printing : William Caslon and the First English Type Specimen Book

Bird & Bull Press, North Hills, PA, 1982

Illustrations. 500 copies printed. Reproduced in facsimile with introductions by Carey S. Bliss. The Introduction to Atkyns gives a brief background of Richard Atkyns. "The original and growth of printing; collected out of history, and the records of this kingdome", by Richard Atkyns was first printed in broadside form in London about 1660. He describes how the press first came to England in 1468. "He goes on to say that at Oxford the printing press was operating 'before there was any Printing-Press, or Printer, in France, Spain, Italy, or Germany' (except in Mainz). Here too he was wrong; the first press in Italy was established in 1465". From the Introduction to William Caslon: "William Caslon, the founder of the typefounding company that still bears his name was born April 23, 1693." Caslon was apprenticed for seven years to "a worker in wrought iron" who specialized in the engraving of guns. Going into business for himself Caslon eventually set up his own foundry where he cast type for printers. His book "A Specimen of Printing Types, by W. Caslon and Son, Letter Founders, in London", printed in 1764, is reprinted here.. Book. Book Condition: Collectible-Very Good. Binding: Cloth

Bibliophile Bookbase for antiquarian books, maps and prints.