HEAVENLY MONKEY

Letterpress & Binding Studio

Griffo’s Forword to Petrach

The only known text attributed to Francesco Griffo
HM 2020

In 1516 the type cutter Francesco Griffo turned his hand to publishing, issuing an edition of Petrarch in a new and very compact italic. The book included a brief foreword from the printer, laying out the intenions and hopes for his new press. It is the only known text written by him. Fragments & Glimpses included an English translation; this book presents both the original Italian and the translation, on facing pages. The text is set in Cancellaresca Bastarda and printed in two colors on Richard de Bas paper. The edition of 30 copies [6 pp.] is cased in thin boards covered with metallic blue paper. $150

Griffo's foreword to Petrarch