Reconsidering Pierre Haultin’s Early Career: Roots, Training, Beginnings (1546–1550)

Abstract: Pierre Haultin is famous for being the most active publisher of the French Reformation. But he was also one of the most talented punchcutters of his time. This paper investigates the first years of his career and shows that Haultin was the nephew of Charlotte Guillard, one of the most powerful of French female printers. This relationship provides a new understanding of Haultin’s first works. Investigations into Charlotte Guillard’s editions shows that Pierre Haultin’s first types were produced for his aunt. Haultin may also have been a wood-engraver, cutting ornaments and marks. His relationship to Charlotte Guillard leads into the possibility that Haultin may have been the apprentice of Claude Garamond.