Nicolas Jenson
15th century French engraver, printer and type designer (1420-1480) · France · On the map · Died at 60
Nicholas Jenson was a French engraver, pioneer, printer and type designer who carried out most of his work in Venice, Italy. Jenson acted as Master of the French Royal Mint at Tours and is credited with being the creator of one of the finest early Roman typefaces.
Nicolas Jenson is read about 31 times a day, in 18 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 4 August 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.
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Photos 11
Jenson's typographer's mark
Roman type of Nicholas Jenson, 1472.
A specimen of Nicolas Jenson's archetypal roman typeface, from the "Laertis", published in Venice c. 1475.
Capitals of Nicolas Jenson's roman typeface, from a translation 'in Fiorentina' (in Italian) of Pliny the Elder, published in Venice in 1476.
About this person
Nicholas Jenson has been something of an iconic figure among students of early printing since the nineteenth century when the artist William Morris praised the beauty and perfection of his roman font. Jenson is an important figure in the early history of printing and a pivotal force in the emergence of Venice as one of the first great centers of the printing press.