Date: 1702 Designer:
Philippe Grandjean / Bignon Commission Foundry:
Imprimerie Nationale, France Location:
Lyon, France Current equivalent:
No direct modern equivalent exists See also:
Jaugeon, La Police BP
Technologies:
Metal (foundry)
| | Famous for:
The first 'neoclassical' typeface. Applications: Prestige and Private Press Ubiquity:
Very rarely used Category:
Transitional Roman Stress: Angled
Serifs: 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. | |  |
