Type Samples by Peter Hammer, 1808
Type Samples by Peter Hammer, 1808
The citing of Peter Hammer as the author of type samples is unusual for two reasons. The name was known as that of a fictitious publisher, not that of a writer. Type samples were generally released under the name of a type foundry and printer, in the form of sample pages or in small brochures as a means of advertising for publisher and author so as to draw attention to the typefaces and sizes that a publisher had at its disposal.
The publicist Joseph Görres (1776-1848) used this mode of publication on behalf of the book printer Joseph Engelmann in Heidelberg as a way of publishing satirical opinions on current affairs issues. After the pre-released sample of an epilogue caused controversy, Johann Georg Zimmer in Heidelberg published the text without citing the name of his publishing house.