Figure 171
Page of Grec du Roi from Greek edition of Appiani Alexandrini Romanarum Historiarum: Estienne, Paris
From HathiTrust (scan)
1551
One of the most exquisite books printed from these fonts in Charles and Robert Estienne’s Greek edition of Appiani Alexandrini Romanarum Historiarum, published in 1551. All three sizes of type are used in it. The type in mass, and the proportion and imposition of the type-page, are very splendid, and there is another reason for looking at it. The superb decorations and initials by Tory, which are employed in all the Greek editions mentioned, are wonderful, in their accord with the colour of the Greek text, in their printable qualities, and in their grace of design.