Elzevir

a celebrated family of Dutch printers of the seventeenth century. The founder of the family reputation was Louis Elzevir, who established himself as a bookbinder and bookseller in Leyden. A copy of the Eutropius, a Latin author, appeared in 1592. It is regarded as the earliest Elzevir. In all he published about 150 works, chiefly in Latin. His five sons continued the business. The most noted Elzevirs, as their editions are called, are of small size, 12mo., 16mo., or 24mo. In point of neatness, clearness, excellence of type, and beauty of paper, it is considered that the Elzevirs have not been surpassed, even by the choicest specimens of modern printing. The last printer of the name died at Leyden, 1712. The total number of Elzevirs is 1213, of which 968 are in Latin, 44 in Greek, 126 in French, 32 in Flemish, 22 in various eastern languages, 11 in German, and 10 in Italian. Although none are in English, these editions are much sought by booksellers. The cover designs are considered highly artistic. See Aldus; Book