"The father of modern type"

References

Giambattista Bodoni, Manuale Tipografico | Giambattista Bodoni, Commentary | Typeface Web Site: Font 21 Historical References

Giambattista Bodoni was born 1740 in Saluzzo, Italy. His father was a printer, so he was also trained in the printing trade from his early youth. As a youngster, he travelled to Rome and worked as a printer at the "Propaganda Fide". ("Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.")

In 1767 Ferdinand, the Duke of Parma appointed him to head the "Stamperia Reale". While there, he supervised the printing and production of many elegant editions of the classics and a celebrated Edition of the Lord's Prayer in 155 languages.

Bodoni's editions became enormously successful because he maintained very high production values for all his publications. He combined expertly engraved illustrations with elegant typography on sought after subjects, thus creating highly desirable products for his customers. Scholares, collectors, socialites, and members of the European aristocracy were delighted with the exquistely created books. Bodoni mixed his own ink, used the best quality paper, designed elegant pages and insisted on immaculate presswork and binding.

"Manuale Tipografico"

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