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A History of the Old English Letter Foundries / with Notes, Historical and Bibliographical, on the Rise and Progress of English Typography.

By Talbot Baines Reed
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length18h 37m

About this audiobook

The fascinating evolution of the printed word is meticulously documented, tracing the artistry and engineering that shaped modern communication. From the earliest craftsmen to the industrial pioneers, the creation of typefaces becomes a thrilling saga of innovation and cultural impact. The intricate details of typography reveal the unseen foundation of centuries of literature and knowledge. Delve into the rich historical legacy of the masters who literally forged the alphabet.

Audiobook details

Rating★★★★ 4.2 (20)
Includes LibraryThing, Goodreads
GenreOther
Length18 hrs 37 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateApr 8, 2026
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1CHAPTER I
2THE ENGLISH TYPE BODIES AND FACES.
3TYPE-BODIES.
4I.—ROMAN.
5ITALIC.
Show all chapters
6BLACK LETTER.
7SECRETARY.
8CHAPTER II.
9TYPE FACES (CONTINUED).
10THE LEARNED, FOREIGN, AND PECULIAR CHARACTERS.
11GREEK.
12HEBREW.
13ARABIC.
14SYRIAC.
15ARMENIAN.
16ETHIOPIC.
17COPTIC.
18SAMARITAN.
19SCLAVONIC.
20ETRUSCAN.
21RUNIC.
22GOTHIC.
23ICELANDIC, SWEDISH AND DANISH.
24SAXON.
25IRISH.
26MUSIC.
27BLIND.
28INITIALS.
29TYPE ORNAMENTS AND FLOWERS.
30CHAPTER III.
31THE PRINTER LETTER-FOUNDERS, FROM CAXTON TO DAY.
32CHAPTER IV.: LETTER-FOUNDING AS AN ENGLISH MECHANICAL TRADE. 1477–1830.
33CHAPTER V.: THE STATE CONTROL OF ENGLISH LETTER-FOUNDING.
34CHAPTER VI.: THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY FOUNDRY.
35CHAPTER VII.: THE STAR CHAMBER FOUNDERS, AND THE LONDON POLYGLOT.
36CHAPTER VIII.: JOSEPH MOXON, 1659.
37CHAPTER IX.
38THE LATER FOUNDERS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
39THOMAS GORING, 1668. JOSEPH LEE, 1669.
40ROBERT ANDREWS, 1683.
41JAMES GROVER, circ. 1675. THOMAS GROVER, his son.371
42GODFREY HEAD, 1685,392
43ROBERT MITCHELL,
44THE “ANONYMOUS” FOUNDRY.
45OXFORD FOUNDERS.
46CHAPTER X.
47THOMAS AND JOHN JAMES, 1710.: “MR. JAMES’S FOUNDERY.
48CHAPTER XI.
49WILLIAM CASLON, 1720.: “MR. CASLON’S FOUNDERY.
50CHAPTER XII.: ALEXANDER WILSON, 1742.

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