| Date: 1702
Designer:
Philippe Grandjean / Bignon Commission
Foundry:
Imprimerie Nationale, France
Location:
Lyon, France
Current equivalent:
Royal Romain
See also:
Jaugeon, La Police BP
Technologies:
Metal (foundry)
Postscript
Opentype | | Famous for:
The first 'neoclassical' typeface.
Applications: Prestige and Private Press
Ubiquity:
Very rarely used Category:
Transitional Roman Stress: Angled
Serif: Transitional | | Design history:
With a grid-based rationality, vertical stress and balance, this type
pre-figured Fournier's and Didot's designs. Punches for this type were
cut by Phillipe Grandjean in response to Louis XIV's commission for a
state typeface in the 1690s. Grandjean was directed by the
government-appointed Committee Bignon, which included a two priests, an
accountant and an engineer. The Romain du Roi was literally 'the kings
roman'; the official type of the French state under Louis. Founded and
cast by the Imprimerie Nationale of France, (the Imprimerie Royale
before the revolution), the type was rigorously protected by law
against unauthorised duplication. | |  |
