The books in this section are usually hardcover and in decent shape, though we'll sometimes offer hard-to-find books in lesser condition at a reduced price. Though we often put images of the book with their original dust jackets, the copies here won't always (or even often) have them. If that is important to you, please call ahead or say so in the order comments!
1576, in London, young Godfry Ingram, printer's apprentice is falsely accused of using his master's press to print a traitorous handbill. He flees across the Channel and after a series of adventures he arrives in the city of Antwerp and is guided by the smell of printer's ink to the printing establishment of Christopher Plantin.
Here he is befriended and under an assumed name starts work in this very famous printing plant. But intrigues, and mysteries follow him. Through his friendship for old Monsieur Desjourdains and his granddaughter he becomes involved in a treacherous plot which eventually results in the destruction of a priceless book and the near ruin of the Press. Those were tempestuous days in Antwerp and Spanish invaders, astrologers and fakers played interchanging parts to bring danger to all who loved peace and art.
This is a story full of action and excitement. In dramatic form it presents to young people an important chapter in the history of printing.
Since At the Sign of the Golden Compass is a book in a setting of important printing history, special care has been taken with the type and illustrations to have them in keeping with this background. The face used is Janson, a type in Plantin's style and the initial letters are from the great printer's own sample books. On the title page is reproduced one of Christopher Plantin's own signatures. in making the beautiful illustrations, the artist has followed very closely authentic material, and pictures from the Plantin Museum in Antwerp. Together a painstaking author and artist have given young people an interesting book of printing history, as well as an exciting adventure story.
—from the dust jacket
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