The Haarlem Legend of the Invention of Printing by Lourens Janszoon Coster, Critically Examined (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 edition. Excerpt: ... the Speculum. We find just as much traditional corruption in the Latin occasional poem of J. A. Bergellanus, in praise of the art of printing, published at Mentz in 1541. He came there in 1540, and made inquiries about the origin of typography, but that which he learned from aged citizens of Mentz does historically prove nothing; it only proves what was tradition at that time at Mentz. The main thing, according to him, also, is that Gutenberg, after having exhausted his own resources, assisted by the friendly advice and aid of Fust, began to cut the first letters--of light wood. The Fust-Sch6fferian impudence, however, reached its acme in an account of the 17th century, of J oh. Fr. Faust of Aschatfenburg. The father of this arch-liar had written frankly and in accordance with truth: J oh. Faust (Fust) war Mitverleger der Buchdruckerei in der Stadt Mentze; etliche wollen wider seiner Dank ihn zu einem Inventorem haben und machen, so aber nur mit seinem Vermtigen und guten Rath in der That geholfen. (Joh. Faust was partner in the printing-oflice at Mentz; some persons would make an inventor of him against his own wish; he really helped only with his money and good advice.) But the son, with the act of the notary Helmasperger in his hands, draws up an account of the invention to this effect: --1. The inventor, Joh. Faust cut first an alphabet in relief. 2. He invented a black, substantial ink, and printed thereupon this alphabet and a Donatus. 3. But yet, thinks Fust, moveable letters would be preferable. 4. Therefore he cuts the blocks asunder and prints with the pieces. 5. His servant Schtiffer cut letters on stamps and casts them. 6. Schfiffer cuts secretly an alphabet, shows it to Faust, and gets as a reward his daughter...