The Origin of Printing: in Two Essays: I. The Substance of Dr. Middleton's Dissertation on the Origin of Printing in England. II. Mr. Meerman's Account of the First Invention of the Art. An Appendix is Annexed 1. On the First-printed Greek Books. 2. On the First-Printed Hebrew Books with Observations on some Modern Editions; and a Collation from Walton's Polyglott of a Remarkable Passage as Printed in Kings and Chronicles. 3. On the early Polyglotts
1774ref. 7047London: W. Bowyer and J. Nichols 1774. Half Leather. Very Good binding. Octavo. xvi 144 2 adverts pp. First edition. In 19th century half speckled calf with corners and marbled papers over boards. Joints are moderately rubbed but sound; light shelfwear; a very few instances of early ink corrections or brief annotations in addition to Bowyer's name being added in ink to the title page in an early hand; additionally a 20th word in green ink on p. 1; one leaf M4 has been excised likely at the time of printing as the text is complete and the pagination is correct matching catalogued and digitized copies. In content this work comprises an abridged reprinting of Conyer Middleton's Dissertation 1734-5 correctly arguing that contrary to popular opinion William Caxton was the first printer in England. The second essay is an English translation of Gerard Meerman's Origines Typographicase in which the Dutch collector argues that the first printing was done by Laurentius in Harleim improved upon by Gutenberg and then Schoeffer in Mainz. Both essays are accompanied by intelligent commentary by the printers in addition to appendices on early Greek Hebrew and polyglot books. Bigmore and Wyman state "The book although it has been robbed of its authority by modern researchers at the time of its publication brought in great praise to its compilers the 'learned printers' of the age" p. 75. An important book delving into the history of printing in Europe that was reprinted several times in the 18th century. This copy of the first edition is from the library of American collector Albert A. Howard with his small monograph plate on the rear pastedown. Bigmore and Wyman p. 74-5; ESTC N10660; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. W. Bowyer and J. Nichols unknown
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