Description

This catalogue, produced to accompany a 2011 exhibition at the Grolier Club, emphasizes the importance of the French national typographic and printing establishment the Imprimerie Nationale, arguably the most important printing house in Europe. Drawing from the ancient, vast, and comprehensive archives of the Imprimerie Nationale, it documents the significant influence of the press, not only on printing and the book arts, but also on French--and therefore European--literary culture from the mid-sixteenth century to the present day. Contributions by eminent scholars H. George Fletcher, Annie Parent-Charon, Isabelle de Conihout, and James Mosley provide valuable insights into and context for the items featured.