Stempel

STEMPEL (D.) [Typefounders] Die Hauptprobe der Schriftgiesserei und Messinglinienfabrik D. Stempel. Frankfurt a. Main: [1927].

Thick 4to. 31 cm. Pp. xxviii, 1198 (irregularly paginated, with several alphabetical sub-series, 68a-q, etc.). Printed in black, gold and spot colours. Orig. half parchment, blue cloth sides, by the August Osterrieth bindery. Some minor marks to lower board but still an exceptionally well-preserved copy of this gargantuan type specimen published to celebrate the firm's thirtieth anniversary in 1925, but not finished until 1927. 'It is probably the most comprehensive collection of type faces, ornaments and specimen settings ever presented by a single company. At the same time, this vast volume is a museum of the typographical practice of the early twentieth century.' (Stempel, Chronik der Schriftgiesserei, 1955). Presentation bookplate. (NB 7.42 kg unpacked.) SOLD