Estienne’s 1544 “Ecclesiastica Historiæ”

Eusebius’ Ecclesiastica Historiæ (Ecclesiastical History) was published by Robert Estienne in 1544, using new Greek characters engraved by Claude Garamont. In Estienne’s mind, the aim was to outclass all existing Greek typefaces, in particular those of Aldus Manutius and Simon de Colines. In the Epitre dédicatoire to François I that he wrote and placed at the head of the work, Estienne states: “…he ordered the most skilful workers to execute typefaces of modern and elegant form. With these typefaces, the most beautiful works, printed with care and multiplied ad infinitum, will spread to all hands, and we are already delivering to the public a specimen in Greek.”

“Francoys, by the grace of God, king of France, to our beloved counselor and accounter of our savings, master Jehan Duval, hail and love. We wish and instruct you that from the funds of our savings you pay, lease and deliver in cash to our dear and beloved Robert Estienne, our printer, residing in Paris, the sum of two hundred and twenty-five livres tournois that we have ordered him to pay, order by these presents, and wish to be placed by you in his hands for delivery to Claude Garamond., cutter and founder of letters, also residing in the said Paris, on and in deduction of the payment of the Greek letters he has undertaken and promised to cut, and to put in the hands of the said Estienne as he makes them, to be used for printing Greek books to be read in our bookshops; and by reporting and saying these letters signed byour hand, with sufficient quitusby said Robert Estienne. Only we want the said sum of IIc XXV livres to be passed and allotted in the despence of your accounts, and discounted from your receipt, and from our said savings by our loved and faithful people of our accounts, to whom we also mandate to do so without any difficulty, and without the delivery that the said Estienne will have made of this sum to the said tailor, nor of the size, supplies and value of the said puncheons, you will be obliged to make any other aparoir, nor to bring any other certification, nor teaching ; of which we have relieved you and relieve you of special grace by these present presents, for such is our pleasure, notwithstanding any orders, restraints, requests or defences to the contrary.” Given in Bourg en Bresse, the first day of October, the year 1541, 27th of our reign, etc.”

First published in the Manuel de l'amateur de livre, 1839, in an article by Antoine Leroux de Lincy, after having been copied by him from the original that was part of the manuscripts in the Louvre library.