Another friend who, brief as was our acquaintance, had taken a genuine interest in the progress of this History, and had enriched it by more than one valuable communication, has been snatched away by the hand of Death before the thanks he never coveted but constantly incurred can reach him. In Henry Bradshaw the world of books has lost a distinguished ornament, and this little book has lost a hearty friend. To Mr. F. Madan, of the Bodleian Library, Oxford, I owe much valuable information as to early printing at that University; while to the kindness of Mr. Horace Hart, Controller of the University Press, I am indebted for full access to the highly interesting collection of typographical antiquities preserved at that Press, as well as for the specimens I am here enabled to show of some of the most interesting relics of the oldest Foundry in the country. {ix} Mr. T. W. Smith has kindly given me similar facilities as regards the archives and historical specimens of the venerable Caslon Foundry. Mr. Sam. Timmins most generously placed at my disposal much of the information embodied in my chapter on Baskerville, including the extracts from the letters forming part of his unique collection relating to that celebrated typographer. To Mr. James Figgins I am obliged for many particulars relating to the early association of founders at the commencement of the present century; also for a specimen of one of the most noted founts of his distinguished ancestor. Mr. Charles R. Rivington I have to thank for one or two valuable extracts from the _Minutes_ of the Court of the Stationers’ Company, relating to Letter Founders. To Messrs. Enschedé and Sons, of Haarlem, my thanks are also specially due for giving me specimens of some of their most curious and ancient types. It is also my pleasure, as well as my duty, to thank the Secretary of the American Antiquarian Society for information regarding specimens in his possession; my friend, Dr. Wright, of the British and Foreign Bible Society, for free access to the highly interesting Library under his care; Messrs. Tuer, Bremner, Gill, and others for the kind loan of Specimens; the Librarian of the London Institution for permission to facsimile portions of the rare specimen of James’ Foundry in that Library; and the numerous other friends, who, by reading proofs and in other ways, have generously assisted me in my labours. I also take this opportunity of thanking Mr. Prætorius and Mr. Manning for the care they have bestowed on the preparation of facsimiles for this work; and of expressing my obligations to the officials of the British Museum and Record Office for their invariable courtesy on all occasions on which their assistance has been invoked. LONDON, _January 1st, 1887_. {xi} CONTENTS. Introductory Chapter. THE TYPES AND TYPE FOUNDING OF THE FIRST PRINTERS 1 Chap. 1. THE ENGLISH TYPE BODIES AND FACES 31