Figure 285
Page of Ascham’s Scholemaster, showing Roman, Italic, and Black-letter: Day, Londo
From a copy in Harvard College Library (facsimile), Centre for Renaissance and Reformation Studies (scan)
1751
Another book of Day’s, showing his use of black-letter, is the 1571 edition of Roger Ascham’s Scholemaster. Here the title-page is set chiefly in italic type, the Dedicatory Epistle in italic, and the Preface in roman—both rather roughly executed fonts and by no means well printed. Though the text of the book is black-letter, all tabulated matter is set in italic, English poetry in roman, Latin verse in italic, roman is used for proper names, and here and there a very good Greek font is introduced. In short black-letter is being invaded on every hand. The book shows care in execution, and is attractive in spite of its hodge-podge of types.