Four Centuries of Fine Printing, Stanley Morison — 2nd Edition

£29.80

Four Centuries of Fine Printing, Stanley Morison — 2nd Edition

Name: Four Centuries of Fine Printing, Stanley Morison — 2nd Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6871
Price: 29.80 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Ernest Benn Limited, 1949

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 342.

Condition Report: Very Good. Bound in the publisher's original black cloth, the volume is structurally sound with a tight, square binding and bright, unoxidised gilt lettering to the spine. The boards exhibit minimal wear, restricted to very faint rubbing at the extremities. The text block is firm and clean, though the top edge shows moderate dust soiling and mild foxing consistent with its age. Internally, the leaves are crisp, bright, and completely free from notable spotting or handling marks, presenting a highly legible and well-preserved interior. The original dust wrapper is present and unclipped (retaining the 30s. net price); it is graded as Very Good, displaying light age-toning to the spine and minor shelf-wear, most visibly a small, closed tear to the upper edge of the rear panel, yet it remains an attractive and highly presentable example.

Catalogue Note: This is the 1949 second edition, representing the first trade and revised octavo format of Stanley Morison's seminal work, which was originally issued in 1924 as a highly restricted limited folio edition of 400 copies.

The volume acts as a profound visual survey of typographical history, containing 272 meticulously reproduced specimens of title pages, text settings, and printer's devices from presses established between 1465 and 1924.

It is increasingly difficult to source copies that retain their original dust wrappers in such well-preserved, clean condition, making this an appealing acquisition for collectors of bibliography, graphic design, and printing history.

A cornerstone of typographical literature, Four Centuries of Fine Printing offers an unparalleled visual journey through the evolution of the printing press. Curated by Stanley Morison, one of the twentieth century's most influential typographic scholars, this exhaustive survey showcases the craftsmanship of Europe's finest historical presses. Featuring 272 exquisite facsimile examples of page layout and letterpress mastery, it serves as an indispensable reference and a celebration of the enduring art of book design.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Stanley Morison

Book Publisher: Ernest Benn Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Art & Architecture

Book edition: Second Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 342

Book Publication Year: 1949

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.