CHOICE EXAMPLES OF EARLY PRINTING AND ENGRAVING. Fac-similes from Pare and Curious Books. EARLY VENETIAN PRINTING, Title-page from the Comedies of Plautus printed at Vence in 1511. The most remarkable feature in this title-page les in the contrast between the border and the lettering. The red-letter ng in the centre is undoubtedly a piece of block printing-and is consequently rough, almost rude, and indistinct. But he enclosing square is filled wh a design which is simply evenisite in its fantastic variety and airy freshness. The outer border is a clever combination of Ronan decorative forms; while along the base is an elaborate frieze in which is portrayed the procession of Neptune and the Tritons. In richness and ingenuity this past must be pronounced inimitable It was printed by Lazzarus de Soardis. |