Culture
Words by Michel Wlassikoff
Baskervillle, Quintis Horatius Flaccus [Horace], 1770.
Baskerville editions stood out for their luxury appeal, utilizing wove paper made with the Whatman process and sharper types inspired by Grandjean’s Romain du Roi. Baskerville’s exceptional printing quality, achieved with new inks, influenced later works by and even contributed types used in the United States’ Declaration of Independence.
Baskerville editions stood out for their luxury appeal, utilizing wove paper made with the Whatman process and sharper types inspired by Grandjean’s Romain du Roi. Baskerville’s exceptional printing quality, achieved with new inks, influenced later works by and even contributed types used in the United States’ Declaration of Independence.
In the 18th century, the Baskerville editions (1706–1775), intended for a luxury clientele, were distinguished by the new use of wove paper using the Whatman process. Baskerville set up a special press for finer and sharper types (types inspired by Grandjean’s Romain du Roi) dedicated to this paper which will have a bright future in Nineteenth century. The result, notably through the use of new inks, is quite exceptional at the time and evokes later achievements by Didot. This edition of Horace is one of Baskerville’s latest creations. Some of the Baskerville types, after the death of its inventor, were brought to the United States, where they are found in the Declaration of Independence.
Document : Library of the Estienne school.
