SILVESTRE (L.-C.). Marques Typographiques ou Recueil des Monogrammes, Chiffres, Enseignes, Emblèmes, Devises, Rébus et Fleurons des Libraires et Imprimeurs qui on exercé en France, depuis l'introduction de l'Imprimerie en 1470, jusqu'a la fin du seizième siècle...1853

Paris: P. Jannet & Renou et Maulde, First edition, 2 vols., 8vo, [4], viii, 384; [4], 385-745, [23]pp., illustrated throughout, cont. morocco-backed marbled boards, rubbed, slight sign of tape residue to base of spines, but still a very good copy, uncut, t.e.g. A most important reference book picturing, in full size for the most part, and identifying more than 1300 French printers' devices from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Printers, like other manufacturers, put a proprietary mark on their goods—a design cut in wood or metal, printed on the title-page or at the end. It customarily consisted of a pictorial device, sometimes with ornament, sometimes with a motto; an indication of the printer's identity was often included—his name, initials or a personal sign. Bigmore & Wyman, II, p.356.