Grecs du roi

Les grecs du roi are a celebrated Greek typeface designed by Claude Garamond in 1541 and containing a very large number of ligatures.

The grecs du roi were ordered by Robert Estienne on behalf of King Francis I of France. The design was based on the handwriting of the Cretan copyist Angelo Vergecio. Arthur Tilley calls the resulting books "among the most finished specimens of typography that exist".^[2]

Notes

1. ^ Valerie R. Hotchkiss, Charles C. Ryrie (1998). "Formatting the Word of God: An Exhibition at Bridwell Library". http://smu.edu/bridwell/publications/ryriecatalog/5_6.htm. 
2. ^ Tilley, Arthur (1900). "Humanism under Francis I". The English Historical Review 15 (59): 456–478. 

External links

• Graphê, association pour la promotion de l'art typographique -- includes a photo of the punches for les Grecs du roi, Vergecio's manuscript, and the first book printed with the Grecs du roi.