The Alphabet of Francesco Torniello da Novara [1517] Followed by a comparison with the Alphabet of Fra Luca Pacioli.

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Verona: Officina Bodoni, 1971. Quarto. xxvii, 106pp. One of 160 copies printed on handmade Amalfi paper. This reprint of Torniello's alphabet includes a reproduction of the title page portrait of Torniello, newly engraved after Guillaume Le Signerre by Leonardo Farina; a facsimile of the geometrically-constructed alphabet; and a comparison of Torneillo's roman capitals with those constructed by Luca Pacioli in 1509. First published in 1517, Torneillo's treatise is of interest for his calligraphic improvements of the capital letters, but especially significant because it was the first construction based on a logical system of measurement which he called "punto," or point. With an Introduction by Giovanni Mardersteig; English translation by Betty Radice. A broadside leaf explaining the text, not called for in the bibliography, is laid-in. Very slight darkening along inner hinges from binding glue, else a very fine copy in quarter blue morocco, lettered in gilt, and vellum-colored boards, printed in black on both covers. With fine slipcase. T.e.g. (Item ID: 18229)