Collection

Gradvale Romanvm

Collections

1599

No. 64691

A large hymnbook which was used for mass. Because it was easy to make gaps when musical notes and staff notations were printed with the use of letterpress printing, high-precision movable-type casting and advanced typesetting techniques were required to print musical scores. This book shows the highest degree of printing technology of the 16th century in terms of both size and quality of printing. The publisher, Jan Moretus I, was the second head of the largest printing house in 16th century Europe, Officina Plantiniana (Belgium). It is known that he further developed the printing office which was founded by Christophe Plantin. The printing office established immovable position in Europe with the publication of this book.