This early English printer was by birth a Norman, but became naturalised in England by letters patent and was appointed king's printer. He was the first to introduce the Roman letter into this country, though this honour is by some attributed to Wynkyn de Worde. The Italian penmen of the fifteenth century furnished the model for the round character which has been successively adopted in most of the typographical foundries since the days of Pynson, and which is known as the Roman character; and these penmen are supposed to have imitated the writing of the Carlovingian MSS. Thus the small alphabet used by our printers is a copy of that adopted in the churches of France in the time of Charlemagne.
Among Pynson's works may be mentioned the following. The prices affixed have, as before, been realised at auction within the last few years.
Sebastian Brant's _Shyp of Folys of the Worlde_, translated by Barclay, black letter, woodcuts, morocco extra, imperfect, 1509, folio, £23.
_Jeronimi de Sancto Marcho Opusculum_, &c., woodcut signs of the Zodiac and Pynson's device on title, a fine copy in morocco extra, bound by Bedford (1509), 4to, £85.
_Intrationum Liber_, woodcut of royal arms, perfect, old russia, 1510, folio, £36 15s.
The periods of the birth and death of this ancient typographical artist are entirely unknown. One of his books, the _Missale Secundum vsvm Sarvm_, dates from Westminster, the 20th December, 1498, and one or two others are dated 1520, so that it is safe to say that he flourished between those dates. One of the most extraordinary books issued at this early time is the _Shepherd's Calendar_, printed by Julian Notary. It is full of quaint woodcuts, illustrative of religious myths, which, considering the times, are excellently executed. An edition of this calendar was also printed and published by Richard Pynson. The total number of books known to have been printed by Julian Notary is 23.
This printer is known in connection with a few books, about half-a-dozen in number, which, as usual, are excessively scarce and very valuable. The dates of his birth and death are uncertain. The first of his books, however, is dated 1499, and the last 1508.
Although the date of the first book printed by Richard Fawkes is given as 1509, it is more than likely that the date on the title-page (_Salus Corporis, Salus Anime_, folio, 1509) is a misprint. The next in point of date is a book of _Hours_, 1521, and it is hardly likely that twelve years should have elapsed without his printing anything. Still, time has spared such a few of this printer's publications that it is quite possible the date may be correct. Specimens from Fawkes' press are excessively rare, none having been offered for sale, so far as I am aware, for many years.