Conférence · 18/10/2018

Questions surrounding Baskerville's printing innovations and their introduction into France

Patrick Goossens

Patrick Goossens
This talk will give an overview of Baskerville’s innovations in printing technology. While the English printing industry did not embrace his innovations, after his death, some of Baskerville’s typographical material was moved to France. John Dreyfus has already studied aspects of this, but several questions remain unanswered. Firstly, what were the motivations for this move? Secondly, to what extent were French printers ready to receive Baskerville’s new insights: his correspondence with the French printer Philippe-Denis Pierre showed some interest from France, but how widespread was this? Thirdly, were French printers able to use the new techniques to their full potential? Etienne Anisson-Duperron showed interest in the process, but once the equipment was employed at the Kehl printing house he found it was not used to its full potential. Finally, Baskerville was not the only innovator of printing technology, but he certainly stands out. How was this achieved?

This talk will give an overview of Baskerville’s innovations in printing technology. While the English printing industry did not embrace his innovations, after his death, some of Baskerville’s typographical material was moved to France. John Dreyfus has already studied aspects of this, but several questions remain unanswered. Firstly, what were the motivations for this move? Secondly, to what extent were French printers ready to receive Baskerville’s new insights: his correspondence with the French printer Philippe-Denis Pierre showed some interest from France, but how widespread was this? Thirdly, were French printers able to use the new techniques to their full potential? Etienne Anisson-Duperron showed interest in the process, but once the equipment was employed at the Kehl printing house he found it was not used to its full potential. Finally, Baskerville was not the only innovator of printing technology, but he certainly stands out. How was this achieved?

Manifestation: Baskerville in France (2018)
Disciplines: Typographie

Questions surrounding Baskerville's printing innovations and their introduction into France

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