Title Page for Apollo's Kermis-gift - Jan van den Bergh

A 1743 Dutch title page featuring elegant typography and a central Rococo-style engraved ornament.

This print reproduces the title page for the first volume of 'Apollo's Kermis-gift', a publication issued in The Hague in 1743. The work provides a clear example of mid-eighteenth-century Dutch book design, where the arrangement of text serves as the primary visual element. The layout follows a hierarchical structure, prioritising the title of the collection, followed by the intended audience: the youth of The Hague who sought amusement.

At the centre of the page sits a small, decorative engraving. This ornament features symmetrical, foliate scrolls and shell-like motifs, characteristic of the Rococo style prevalent in European decorative arts during this period. The engraving acts as a visual break between the title and the publication details, providing a sense of balance to the otherwise stark, text-heavy composition.

The typography reflects the standard practices of the time, utilising a mix of serif typefaces to distinguish between the main title, the descriptive subtitle, and the imprint information. Jan van den Bergh, identified here as a bookseller located in the Schoolstraat at the sign of 'Hippocrates', operated within a tradition of Dutch printing that valued clarity and formal structure. The inclusion of the date in Roman numerals at the base completes the formal presentation of the volume.

This print offers an insight into the commercial and literary culture of the Netherlands in the 1740s. It captures the aesthetic of a period where the printed page was designed with both utility and decorative restraint in mind. The contrast between the crisp, black ink and the off-white paper stock creates a clean, minimalist aesthetic that remains effective for modern interior displays, particularly for those interested in historical typography or the history of the book.