Movable Type

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Portrait of Pierre Didot  1823  This medal was issued in Paris to commemorate Pierre Didot.



Around the edge of the reverse - Horace, Virgil, Racine and La Fontaine editions in folio 

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One of the greatest sources of civic pride in Haarlem is their role in creating the modern printing press.

While it was of course invented by Gutenberg in Germany, it is often claimed LJ Coster of Haarlem discovered it simultaneously.

Even in the 17th century Haarlem took pride in this fact and had a printing press on their municipal medals and tokens.

Nowadays, a statue of him still stands on the main square. Throughout the centuries, celebrations have been held in the city in Jubilee years; this medal by JP Braemt was fabricated for the 400th anniversary of his invention.


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Obverse: Angel standing, facing, with head left, holding shield with left hand and flaming torch with right; books and olive tree either side; printing press in background.


Latin Inscription: LAUS URBI LUX ORBI
Translation: THE GLORY OF THE CITY, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Latin Inscription in exergue: CIƆCCCCXX – CIƆCCCCXXV BRAEMT FECIT
Translation: CIƆCCCCXX – CIƆCCCCXXV BRAEMT DID


Reverse: Inscription within wreath

Latin Inscription surrounding wreath: CELEBRATUM HARLEMI X JULII CIƆIƆCCCXXIII
Translation: CELEBRATED IN HARLEM JULY 10, 1823

Latin Inscription within wreath: SAECULARE IV TYPOGRAPHIAE INVENTAE HARLEMI A LAUR JANI F COSTERO
Translation: 400TH ANNIVERSARY TYPOGRAPHY INVENTED IN HARLEM BY LAUR JANI F COSTERO