Bodoni (Giambattista) Manuale Tipografico, 2 vol., vol.1 [14], lxxii, [2] pp., 265ff. all but one leaf printed on recto only, one leaf printed both sides (numbered 266-267) with the Index, vol.2 [2], 275ff. printed on recto only (with three folding sheets of music), last two leaves with index printed on both sides and numbered 276-279, seperate titles for each vol., engraved portrait of Bodoni by Francesco Rosaspina, after Andrea Appiani at beginning of vol.1 slightly foxed, original orange boards with printed spine labels, spines repaired, one corner of vol.1 slightly damaged, hinges a little weak but generally a fine, entirely uncut copy, 4to, 320 x 220mm., Parma, Giambattista Bodoni, 1818.

⁂ A magnificent copy of Bodoni's masterpiece, the most elaborate specimen-book ever printed. The Manuale was completed after Bodoni's death by Luigi Orsi, director of the printing house at Parma, for the typographer's widow. This work, printed in about 250 copies, contains examples of more than two hundred typefaces. It shows the impressive and unrivalled range of Bodoni's types, presenting Roman, Greek, Cyrillic and exotic alphabets, together with their versions in italic, capitals, etc., and ending with type-ornaments.

Literature: Brooks, 1216 (Manuale) and 292 (Lettre).