Figure 289
Roman used in Latin edition of Caesar: Tonson, London
From a copy in the Newberry Library
1712
One of the fine folios of the early eighteenth century…is a Latin edition of the works of Caesar…annotated by Samuel Clarke. The title-page with its spaced capitals, especially the lines of spaced italic capitals, and the absence of rubrication and surrounding rules, somewhat prefigures Baskerville’s title-pages. After the preliminary matter, the Commentaries begin, set in fine great primer old style types very generously leaded, notes being set mostly in small italic in the ample margins. It is illustrated with full-page copper-plates, and the magnificent head-pieces, tail-pieces, and initial letters are also engraved.