[CZECH TYPOGRAPHIC SPECIMEN BOOK] Vzorník písem [Specimen book], Československý kompas, 1949.
Prague: Československý kompas, 1949. Octavo (20.9 × 14.9 cm). Original decorative wrappers; [81] leaves of specimens to rectos and [161] pp. of specimens to rectos and versos respectively. The 1925 specimen book with light wear to wrappers and lower spine extremity, but still about very good; the 1949 volume very good. Item #55808
Two very appealing specimens of the publishing and printing concern "Československý kompas" (Czechoslovak compass), founded in 1919, which specialized in publishing scientific and reference works, but also printed some arts and literature titles in the interwar period. The 1949 title was likely one of the last specimens published by the firm, as it was incorporated into the Orbis conglomerate, which became the largest state-run publishing concern following the communist takeover and forced nationalization. Both contain a wide variety of specimens, including large poster fonts and wooden types, as well as lines, ornaments, manicules, etc. The 1949 book also contains Linotype and Monotype fonts, and continues to showcase a number of the pre-war fonts, such as Bernhard and Herold poster fonts.
Scarce; as of July 2021, KVK and OCLC only show two holdings in North America, both in the Midwest.
Price: €350.00