Francois Xavier Laire

Specimen historicum Typographiae Romanae XV. Saeculi Opera Et Studio

      308 pages. 8vo, 19 1/2 x 13 cm. Title in red and black, engraved title vignette, head-pieces, including bibliographical footnotes and index. Early study of 15th century Roman typography. BIGMORE & WYMAN Vol. I, p.416. "A folding-plate contains specimens of the types of Sweynheym and Pannartz, two of the earliest Roman printers......Laire was one of the most learned bibliographers of France during the 18th century.....At one time he was librarian of Cardinal Brienne; subsequently he became librarian at the Ecole centrale de l'Yonne, where he remained to his death." BRUNET, Vol. III, p.774-775. Modest text soiling, minor damp wrinkling, generally a fresh, sound copy , small oval ownership stamp bottom margin of title page not affecting text. [Publisher: Sumptibus Venantii Monaldini]