The Greek type of Aldus was a new departure, based on the cursive or business handwriting of his day in distinction from the older book-hand which had served as the model for the first Greek fonts.  It gained immediate popularity and for more than two hundred years, either directly or through fonts based upon it, dominated the Greek printing of Europe.  At length, mainly because of the ligatures and contractions, it was supplanted by type of more open and regular forms.

In 1508 Aldus took as partner his father-in-law, Andrea Torresano d’Asola, a Venetian printer who in 1480 had taken over the business of Nicolas Jenson.  The imprint which had hitherto been apud Aldum or in aedibus Aldi now became in aedibus Aldi et Andreae soceri.  After the death of Aldus in 1515 the press was conducted without change of name by the surviving partner until his own death in 1529.

Thick paper copy.  Leaf 10-3/4 x 7 in.  On p. 1050 is written Collegii Societatis Jesu Embricae 1605.

From the library of Sir J.H.  Thorold of Syston Park, with book-plate.  Bound by R. Storr, Grantham, in red morocco, gilt edges, with anchor on sides.  The “Dictionary of English Book-collectors,” pt. 2, calls attention to the Aldine anchor (made more realistic by an end of rope cable twisted about it) stamped by the Grantham bookbinders Messrs. Storr & Ridge upon many of the Thorold books, “not only those bound by themselves, but also those bound by far better men.”  Examples of both kinds are found in the present collection.

As an illustration of the first Greek type of Aldus there is joined to this collection a finely executed manuscript facsimile on vellum of his Musaeus of 1495, his second book (preceded by the Grammar of Lascaris), but the first in which the font appeared in its completed state.  From the Syston Park library.  Bound by Bozerian Jeune, in blue morocco extra.

28.  SCRIPTORES REI RUSTICAE.  Venetiis, in aedibus Aldi et Andreae soceri,
    1514.

TITLE:  LIBRI DE RE RVSTICA.  M. CATONIS LIB.  I. M. TERENTII VARRONIS LIB.  III.  L. IVNII MODERATI COLVMELLAE LIB.  XII.  Eiusdem de arboribus liber separatus ab alijs, quare autem id factum fuerit:  ostenditur in epistola ad lectorem.  PALLADII LIB.  XIIII.  De duobus dierum generibus:  simulq_ue_ de umbris, et horis, quae apud Palladium, in alia epistola ad lectorem.  Georgij Alexandrini enarrationes priscarum dictionum, quae in his libris Catonis:  Varronis:  Columellae. [Aldine anchor].  Hos libros Pontificis etiam Leonis decreto, nequis alius usquam locorum impune imprimat, cautum est. Fol. 308^a:  COLOPHON:  VENETIIS IN AEDIBVS ALDI ET ANDREAE SOCERI MENSE MAIO M.D.XIIII. [Aldine anchor on verso].