Francesco Griffo’s Foreword to Petrarch 1516

Francesco Griffo da Bolonga

In 1516 the type cutter Francesco Griffo turned his hand to publishing, issuing an edition of Petrarch in a new and very compact italic. The book included a brief foreword from the printer — the only known text attributed to him — laying out the intenions and hopes for his new press. It is the only known text written by him. Fragments & Glimpses included an English translation; this book presents both the original Italian and the translation, on facing pages. Set in Cancellaresca Bastarda, printed in two colors on Richard de Bas paper. Edition of 30 copies [6 pp.] is cased in thin boards covered with metallic blue paper. Small 8vo, 6 pp. 2020