First of three editions. (Bigmore & Wyman I, p.211). A history of the art of printing which Bigmore and Wyman write "is the most important of the works published in Germany, on the occasion of the 4th centenary of the invention of printing." Divided into several sections, this volume contains a chronological history of early printing from the 1450's, a history of famous printers and printing houses, a history of printing by continent with a state by state survey of the United States, and a catalogue of printing techniques. The first part is well-illustrated with reproductions of woodblock illustrations printed in early books. Many of these plates fold-out and are printed in color. The last section on printing techniques describes printing in gold and silver, xylographie, stereotypie, typographie and many other processes. Included are specimens of some of these processes printed by B.G. Teubner, many of these are printed in color, embossed, and some represent ornaments suitable for banknotes or are specimens of maps. Many other internal illustrations. Text is followed by ten pages of type specimens including specimens of Hebrew, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Chinese, Greek, and others. Includes a list of subscribers. One plate printed with metallic image oxidized. Faint dampstain along bottom of pages.