Publii Virgilii Maronis Bucolica, Georgica, et Aeneis.

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Publii Virgilii Maronis Bucolica, Georgica, et Aeneis.

Artist various

Publisher Johannis Baskerville, Birmingham , 1757

Printer Johannis Baskerville, Birmingham

Author Virgil (Vergilius Publius Maro) Roman, 70-19 BCE

Place of OriginBirmingham, England

Date1757

DimensionsBook: 11 3/4 × 9 1/8 in. (298 × 231mm)
Page: 10 3/4 × 8 1/4 in. (273 × 209mm)

Mediumoriginal prints: engravings text: letterpress paper: cream laid paper

ClassificationBooks

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number

1921.111

Not on View

Label TextBaskerville, who was a well-to-do industrialist in Birmingham, turned his attention to his first love - the fine art of printing- at age forty-four. From 1750-1757, he designed a new typeface (which bears his name), set up a foundry and a press, trained compositors and pressmen in his methods, and, finally completed his first book, which you see here. Baskerville's contributions to the field of book production were in the areas of type, paper, and the more precise methods of printing. Baskerville type is crisp, distinct, graceful, wide, and very readable. Versions of that type face are used today. Baskerville manufactured his own intense black ink (which over time, has offset onto the facing page, as can be seen here). Also, in association with paper mills, he devised a mold which produced a smooth sheet receptive to more even press work. After printing, these papers were pressed between polished plates. The books must have been brilliant when new, but today the paper is slightly discolored, due probably to the hot pressing. Baskerveille printed 56 titles. His most influential books were the Latin classics, especially the Virgil.