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Attribution:

Johann Breitkopf

Date:

1777

Description:

Johann Breitkopf (1719-1794) was a German music publisher and typographer. Between 1754 and 1755 he revolutionized the printing of music by inventing a process whereby the music was printed using movable type. Between 1777 and 1779 Breitkopf attempted to introduce the same principle to the printing of maps. His invention of “typometry” involved a combination of movable type, movable lines, and map symbols. Unfortunately, the invention was a failure as it proved more time-consuming than copperplate engraving, and Breitkopf ended up producing just three books with maps made with this technique.

Bib. Reference:

Leipzig: Aus der Breitkopfischen Buchdruckerey, 1777

Bancroft call number:

GA150.B84 1777

Digital image courtesy of:

Wikipedia Commons