Pierre-Simon Fournier started punch-cutting in 1736. After years of hard work, he published in 1742 his Modèles des caractères de l'imprimerie showcasing about 4600 newly invented letters or signs. A cultivated man, he participated in the writing of the Encyclopédie and Diderot held him in high regard. His most famous work is the Manuel typographique published in 1764-1766, in itself a typographical gem. Fournier is one of the great architects of the Book, on the same footing as Alde, Estienne, Baskerville or William Morris.

The facsimile in question of the Epreuve de quelques caractères has been rendered in colors with the utmost care by the Editions des Cendres based on a unique exemplar recently found.