Usefulness rather than originality has been aimed at in the preparation of the AMERICAN PRINTER, which is offered as an improvement on the typographical work formerly published by us. In addition to the results of actual personal experience embodied in the volume, information has been gathered and extracts have been freely made from various publications, such as _Ames and Dibdin’s Typographical Antiquities_, _Thomas’s History of Printing_, _Timperley’s Dictionary of Printers and Printing_, _Savage’s Dictionary of Printing_, _Johnson’s Typographia_, _Chambers’s Encyclopædia_, _Beadnell’s Guide to Typography_, as well as other books referred to in the notes. The work has been prepared amid the manifold interruptions incident to business life; yet we think nothing has been overlooked that is essential for the instruction of the learner or for the assistance of the workman. Besides the matter relating to practical typography, the volume contains a sketch of the discovery of printing, and notices of type-founding, stereotyping, electrotyping, and lithography. The implements employed in typography are described and their uses explained; and complete schemes for imposition are laid down. The valuable tables and the plans of cases for various languages, and for music and labour-saving rule, will be found extremely useful; as well as the extensive lists of abbreviations and of foreign words and phrases, and orthographical hints. Special attention has been given in setting forth the functions and duties of the foreman and proof-reader, so that the operations of an office may be prosecuted with efficiency, comfort, and economy. Authors and publishers, as well as young printers, may consult the volume with profit; and, indeed, any intelligent person will find it serviceable. [Illustration] [Illustration] CONTENTS. PAGE. RISE AND PROGRESS OF PRINTING 13-48 Discovery of Printing—Laurentius Koster—Geinsfleisch—Gutenberg—Fust—Bible printed—Peter Schœffer—Caxton—Ulrich Zell—Lambert Palmaert—Abraham Colorito—Humphreys and De Vinne on the invention of printing—Lenox’s collection of rare Bibles—Ancient typographical peculiarities—Catchwords—Invention of Signatures—Printing introduced into America—Type-founding in Europe—Decree of the Star Chamber—Type-founding in America—Prices of Type—Stereotyping—Electrotyping—Lithography—Engraving— Walk over a type-foundry. IMPLEMENTS OR TOOLS OF THE ART 49-120