In 1861 was published in quarto the first volume of “The Life and Typography of William Caxton, England’s First Printer, with evidence of his typographical connection with Colard Mansion the Printer at Bruges. Compiled from original sources by William Blades;” the second volume appearing in 1863.

In 1877, the year of the Caxton Celebration, a condensed edition of the quarto work was issued in one volume octavo by Messrs. Trübner & Co. In this some alterations and additions rendered necessary by recent discoveries were incorporated.

The same publishers now offer a revised reprint, containing all the matter and all the plates of the previous octavo issue, with the addition of remarks upon the meaning and origin of Caxton’s Device, and upon his system of punctuation.

A real study of our early printed books brings with it the knowledge, more or less, of all the arts and sciences generally taught in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In this lies one of its chief attractions to the bibliographer. The invention of printing gave new life to all branches of knowledge, and if we thoughtfully consider the wonderful effects which have proceeded from it--effects far more important to mankind than even the discovery of steam power, electric power, or any other invention--we shall surely feel deeply interested in all that concerns its introduction and spread in our own country.

~Part I.~