I. Renaissance typography

Giovanni Michele Bruto. La institutione di una fanciulla nata nobilmente. L'institution d'une fille de noble maison. – Anvers: Christophe Plantin for Jean Bellère, [1555]. In-8.

The Venetian scholar Giovanni Michele Bruto (1517-1592) dedicated this bilingual pedagogical treatise to the daughter of a fellow countryman whom he encountered in Antwerp in the spring of 1555. The first book printed by Christophe Plantin, it was published however at the address of Jean Bellère (1526-1595), publisher established for several years in Antwerp. Because Bellère had departed for the Frankfurt fair, Plantin --official printer since 30 March 1555 and holder of the work’s privilege since April 5^th – carried out the printing. At the dawn of his career as printer, Plantin was no doubt led to this association due to the lack of funds and sufficient customers.

   The written form ‘Plantain’ that appeared in the colophon was corrected, at least in one other copy, to ‘Plantin’.

Cultura Fonds: CS 85