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Record Number: 21562

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'Oct. 24. Tuesday. We visited the King's library.�I saw the "Speculum humanae Salvationis", rudely printed with ink, sometimes pale, sometimes black; part supposed to be with wooden types, and part with pages cut in boards.�The Bible, supposed to be older than that of Mentz, in 62 [1462]; it has no date, it is supposed to have been printed with wooden types.�I am in doubt; the print is large and fair, in two folios.�Another book was shewn me, supposed to have been printed with wooden types;�I think, "Durandi Sanctuarium" in 58 [1458]. This is inferred from the difference of form sometimes seen in the same letter, which might be struck with different puncheons.�The regular similitude of most letters proves better that they are metal.�I saw nothing but the "Speculum" which I had not seen, I think, before'.

Century:

1700-1799

Date:

24 Oct 1775

Country:

France

Time

n/a

Place:

city: Versailles
specific address: King's Library

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Samuel Johnson

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

18 Sep 1709

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

writer

Religion:

Anglican

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

France

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a

Additional Comments:

n/a

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Text Being Read:

Author:

[n/a]

Title:

Durandi Sanctuarium

Genre:

Other religious

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

a 1458 edition

Provenance

read in situ
at the King's Library, Versailles

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Source Information:

Record ID:

21562

Source:

Print

Author:

James Boswell

Editor:

R.W. Chapman

Title:

Life of Johnson

Place of Publication:

Oxford

Date of Publication:

1980

Vol:

n/a

Page:

653-4

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

James Boswell, R.W. Chapman (ed.), Life of Johnson, (Oxford, 1980), p. 653-4, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=21562, accessed: 14 February 2026

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Additional Comments:

Original date of publication 1791. Johnson was in France with the Thrales. Title / type of text uncertain.