Item Info
Source: Business, Science and Industry Dept.
Notes:
Frenchman Nicolas Jenson was sent to Mainz in 1458 to study the art of printing with movable type and returned to set up shop in Paris. Jenson mostly printed in Gothic typefaces as tradition dictated that theological and legal works were generally not to be printed in roman. Jenson however is best remembered as the first printer to use roman typefaces, which were much clearer and more legible than the black letter or Gothic.
The five volumes of The Summa Theologica were published over the course of three years. The third volume appeared first, in 1477, predating the first complete edition by Anton Koberger begun that year. The Latin text here printed in handsome gothic type with 55 lines to a full page is surrounded by very wide margins and embellished with numerous details painted in red or blue, many with delicate flourishes and illumination in the center gutter.
Country: Country:Italy
City/Town/Township:Venice
Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1480
Creator Name: Jenson, Nicholas - Printer/Publisher