Opera

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Opera

Printer Aldus Manutius, Venice

Binder Rivière

Author Horace (Roman, 65 BCE-8 BCE)

Place of OriginItaly (Venice)

Date1501

DimensionsLeaf (approximately): 6 × 3 1/2 in. (15.2 × 8.9 cm)

ClassificationBooks

Object number

1923.43

Not on View

Label TextAldus, the great Venetian printer, feeling that there was a growing demand for smaller books which could be carried in the pocket or saddlebags, decided to inaugurate a new style of type, compact yet clear. Such a type was cut for him by Francisco de Bologna, copied tradition has it, from the handwriting of Petrarch. This type, known as Italic, was first used by Aldus in 1501, in which year this volume of Horace was printed by him. Aldine italic type is still a type face used today. Aldus, feeling there was an increasing demand for smaller books which could be more easily carried in a pocket or saddlebag, decided to inaugurate a new style of type, compact yet clear. This type, known as italic, was cut for him by Francesco da Bologna, called Griffo. This italic type was first used by Aldus in 1501, the same year in which this volume of Horace, the classical Roman poet, was printed. Aldine italic type is still a typeface used today.