500 ad -> renaissance


          after the basis necessities of life there is nothing more precious

          than books. the art of typography which produces them thus renders

          countless vital services to society. it serves to instruct, to spread

          progress in the sciences and arts, to nourish and cultivate the mind

          and elevate the spirit; the duty of typography is to be the agent and

          general interpreter of wisdom and truth—in short, it portrays the

          human spirit. one might therefore call it, above all others, the art of

          arts and the science of sciences.


                  pierre simon fournier
          [1712—1768] french printer and punchcutter and author
          of many french neoclassical fonts and ornaments,
          most of which have been lost .
       
       
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