Printing Genius: William Bulmer

We would like to introduce another title in our private library: "William Bulmer: The Fine Printer in Context 1757-1830" by Peter CG Isaac (1993). This is one of the most important books for us.

William Bulmer (1757–1830) was one of the key figures in the history of British printing. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, after gaining experience in London he entered into a partnership with the talented type designer William Martin, which resulted in the establishment of one of the most distinguished printing houses of the era – The Shakespeare Press .

Their common goal was to create fonts and a printing style that could compete with the works of Giambattista Bodoni and Pierre Didot . The house's greatest achievement was its luxurious series of literary editions, including The Boydell Shakespeare (1791–1802), considered one of the finest achievements of late 18th-century British typography. The purity of the print, precisely engraved illustrations, and elegant typography made Bulmer an icon of British "fine printing".

The basis for his success was the type designed by William Martin. Inspired by the style of Bodoni, they featured a more subtle contrast between thick and thin lines and softer curves. Martin's type, sometimes referred to as "Bulmer type", became a symbol of British classicism in typography and had a significant influence on the development of printing in the 19th century.

Bulmer not only revolutionised British printing, but also set new standards in the quality of paper, typesetting and illustration. His work became a model for subsequent generations of publishers and printers, and his typography was widely imitated.

William Bulmer: The Fine Printer in Context 1757-1830 is one of the most important contemporary studies of Bulmer, presenting his influence on printing, his relationships with artists and typographers, and the historical context of his work. It is a key resource for students of the history of printing and typography.