Lot Essay
Collation: [-]2, 1-98, 10-1116 (single sided), 128+1 (folding music sheets, pp177-184 + 1 printed on both sides and incorrectly paginated ‘169-170’ ?instead of ‘185-186’), 13-1616 (pp187-250).
![FOURNIER, Pierre Simon le Jeune (1712-1768). Les Caractères de l'Imprimerie. Paris: [Fournier], 1764.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_16018_0116_000(fournier_pierre_simon_le_jeune_les_caracteres_de_limprimerie_paris_fou050619).jpg?w=1)
Details
FOURNIER, Pierre Simon le Jeune (1712-1768). Les Caractères de l'Imprimerie. Paris: [Fournier], 1764.
An interesting copy, apparently a preliminary issue, with more plates than stated in most other copies. The usual edition of 1764 has 170 specimen pages, though copies are also known with only 167 and 128 pages. The 250 present here are identical in number and content with those contained in volume 2 of Fournier's Manuel Typographique, which is an expanded version of the Caractères, not published until 1768 (although dated 1766). The many leaves in the present copy, printed on one side only, could be early proof sheets which were bound up and issued with the 1764 title-page. The specimens show roman, italic, Greek, and many exotic characters, and 15 music type plates. Updike 256; no copy with this collation is cited in Bigmore and Wyman 227.
Small octavo (164 x 99mm). With preliminary leaf displaying a quotation in quatrain within ornamental typographic borders and frame on recto; verso with decorative typographical frame matching that of the subsequent plates, and another on title verso, engraved frontispiece, 253 typographical specimen plates on 178 leaves, including 9 folding plates of music typography, of which only one is printed on both sides and in red and black. Contemporary French red morocco gilt, gilt edges (minor discreet repairs at extremities).
Given the variant state, this lot is sold not subject to return.
An interesting copy, apparently a preliminary issue, with more plates than stated in most other copies. The usual edition of 1764 has 170 specimen pages, though copies are also known with only 167 and 128 pages. The 250 present here are identical in number and content with those contained in volume 2 of Fournier's Manuel Typographique, which is an expanded version of the Caractères, not published until 1768 (although dated 1766). The many leaves in the present copy, printed on one side only, could be early proof sheets which were bound up and issued with the 1764 title-page. The specimens show roman, italic, Greek, and many exotic characters, and 15 music type plates. Updike 256; no copy with this collation is cited in Bigmore and Wyman 227.
Small octavo (164 x 99mm). With preliminary leaf displaying a quotation in quatrain within ornamental typographic borders and frame on recto; verso with decorative typographical frame matching that of the subsequent plates, and another on title verso, engraved frontispiece, 253 typographical specimen plates on 178 leaves, including 9 folding plates of music typography, of which only one is printed on both sides and in red and black. Contemporary French red morocco gilt, gilt edges (minor discreet repairs at extremities).
Given the variant state, this lot is sold not subject to return.
Special notice
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Brought to you by
Robert Tyrwhitt