22 



Typography and Bibliography. 



Having thus filled up all his leaves, the printer begins his third 

 fubject on a frefli fignature, and introduces the " Liber Armorum " 

 with the Preface (already printed). A long work on the " Blafing 

 of Arms" follows, beginning on fig. C |, and ending on fig. f 10. 



This is extremely interefting, both in matter and in the very 

 rude woodcut reprefentations of armorial bearings with which the 

 text is profufely illuftrated. Except in one or two cafes of uncommon 

 tints, thefe are all colour-printed, as are the initials to paragraphs. 

 In the Grenville copy, the preffman having forgotten to roll the 

 " forme," the initials all appear in that femi-tinted ftate which 

 would be the natural refult of fuch an omiffion. We notice, too, 

 that where the coats of arms require, say, three colours on one page, 

 then the initials are alfo in three colours ; but if only one colour 

 is required for the arms, only one colour, and that the fame, is ufed 

 for the initials. Occafionally, where a peculiar colour was neceffary, 

 a brufh was ufed to infert that tint by hand. 



In workmanfhip the St. Albans printer, efpecially in the Englifh 

 books, is much inferior to the contemporary iffue from the Weft- 

 minfter prefs. The types are worfe, the arrangement worfe, the 

 preffwork worfe, and the ink worfe. From this point of view alone, 

 the theory that he would print for Caxton fo much better than he 

 did for himfelf, is not worth ferious confideration. 



The Book of St. Albans went through many editions, particu- 

 lars of which are difficult to obtain. 



1486. The Boke of St. Albans (Brit. Mus.). 



149-. By Wynken de Worde " at the fygne 

 of the Sonne." 



1496. By Wynken de Worde (Brit. Mus.). 



15 . By W.Powell. "Imprinted at London 

 in Fleteftrete at the fygne of George 

 next to faynt Dunfton's Church by 

 Wyllyam Powell. 



15. By W. Copland. "Imprinted at 

 London in Flete Street at the fygne 

 of the Rofe Garlande by Wylliam 

 Copland for Richard Tottell " 

 (Brit. Mus.). 



15 . By W. Copland. "In Lothebury" 

 410. 



15 . By W. Copland. " In faynt Martyns 

 parifh in the Vinetre upon the three 

 crane wharfe." 



1548? By W. Copland. " Imprynted at 

 London in the Vyentre vppon the 

 thre Craned Wharfe by Wyllyam 

 Copland." 



1550. By W. Powell. " Hawkynge Hun- 

 tynge and Fiihynge." 8vo. Lon- 

 don. 



1551 ? By Abraham Vele. 



