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MANUALE TIPOGRAFICO DEL CAVALIERE GIAMBATTISTA BODONI, Title page and illustrated portrait of Bodoni, Two volumes
Giambattista Bodoni
1818
MONUMENTAL BOOKS This remarkable book so important to the history of fine printing was purchased by the Library several generations ago. The two volumes are regarded by printers and type designers as the greatest book of type specimens ever produced. It was limited to 290 copies with 285 different fonts and marks created by Boldoni. It marks the crowning achievement of his professional life and distinguished career. During the final years of his life, he prepared the layout for this publication and also wrote a long introduction. However, he died on November 30, 1813 and it is not surprising that this sad occurrence delayed publication. In 1818, five years after his death, his widow Margherita published the work. She was assisted by Luigi Orsi, Bodoni's foreman who had taken over the typographical direction of the press after Bodoni's death. These Newark Public Library volumes are nicely bound in a workmanlike manner and wile not in perfect condition, the pages of fonts are as crisp and clean as they were when issued in 1818. There are probably only about 20 copies of this great typographical manual in North America. It is therefore a special pleasure to display this relatively unique Newark treasure in a celebration at the Center for Book Arts.
edition of 290
illustrated by Giambattista Bodoni
published by unnamed, Parma, Italy
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