antedating ceriph (serif) 1825

[Stephen Goranson]

OED has separate entries for the typographical term ceriph and serif, though
they appear to be spelling variations of one term, the etymology (of one or
both) "obscure." Add an article for sanserif, and the earliest quote given for
any of these is from 1830.

1825 discussion of ceriphs in
Typographia: an historical sketch of the origin and progress of the art of
printing;
with practical directions for conducting every department in an office: with a
description of stereotype and lithography. Illustrated by engravings,
biographical notices, and portraits.
T C Hansard
1825
Book 1 p. l., xvi, [7], 939, [25] p., 1 l. front., illus., plates, ports. 24 cm.
London, Printed for Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy,

Full text at Google books, including:

Page 370
... cutting of their type, to the mode practised by the earlier artists, in
considering a due strength of footing, as necessary to be given to the ceriphs.
...London founders in imitation of the French
Page 580
Again, a discretion will be required, according to the state or wear of the type
 the newer the letter and sharper the ceriphs, the finer may be the work, ...
Page 617
At one period, in imitation probably of the celebrated Didot, a practice
prevailed of cutting the ceriphs and fine strokes of types to an excessive
degree ...
Page 618
To the razor-edged fine lines and ceriphs of type just observed upon, a reverse
has succeeded, called " Antique," or " Egyptian," the property of which is, ...

Stephen Goranson
http://www.duke.edu/~goranson

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