First edition. (Audin 14, Updike II, p.327, Burke 596). Presents typographic specimens from the Imprimerie Royale in more than thirty languages, including ancient Egyptian, Chinese, Armenian, Syriac, Arabic, Mongol, Tibetan, Russian, Runic, Anglo-Saxon, German (Fraktur), Javanese, and Gujarati. The two-page comparative table of Roman types shows those used by the Press from 1640 to 1846, with one font attributed to Garamont and others engraved by Grandjean and Alexandre, Luce, Firmin Didot, Jacquemin, and Legrand. Updike calls this "one of the most enlightening documents about French typeface in existence." With hand-written presentation at top of half-title by M. Saint Georges, Director of the Imprimerie Royale and officer of the Legion d'honneur, to a major in the Imperial Guard of the Sultan, on 30 October 1850. Top of spine rubbed; corners of boards rubbed and scuffed at edges. Cover slight sun fading. Ownership inscription on title page.