Designed for the renowned printer Theodore Low De Vinne and first released by Central Type Foundry around 1892. Credited variously to Gustav F. Schroeder and Nicholas J. Werner, though Werner attributed the design to Schroeder (who possibly completed the design before his 1891 move to California) and then extended the family. In the following years, Central, Barnhart Bros. & Spindler, and ATF added many styles. It disappears from ATF catalogs after 1923.

Adopted by Monotype as De Vinne (Series 131), with De Vinne Italic
(aka Bold Face or Bold Italic, Series 167) and De Vinne Condensed (Series 21). [Alembic Press, Seemann] Also cast in Germany by Hoffmeister (w/ open style that can be combined in bicolor settings). [1895 specimen] Issued by FTF as Elzévir Gras Large, Canadiennes (for Condensed), Chicago Large (Extended), and Lyonnaises (Italic). By Tetterode/Amsterdam as Vette Romaansch and Smalle Romaansch (Condensed). E. Gursch had Elzevir, which included swash initials. Ludwig & Mayer’s Römisch halbfett and schmal halbfett appear to be direct copies, too, and are marked in Seemann to be of American origin. See also Schelter & Giesecke’s Romanisch.

Alternate ‘R’s, with and without descending, pointed leg; high-waisted ‘M’; wide-bottomed ‘S’ and ‘s’. And perhaps an alternate ‘G’ with lower waist.

Digital revivals include Publication JNL (Jeff Levine, 2010, with De Vinne Stencil JNL), Tedlo Roman NF (Nick's Fonts, 2014), and a rough wood facsimile (Jordan Davies, Wooden Type Fonts, 2015). See also similar designs under the Romana name. M & H still casts in metal the Monotype version, which was known as No. 11 or Devinne.

Not to be confused with DeVinne Ornamental or Linotype’s De Vinne which are distinct designs.

For Typeshop’s De Vinne Serial, see Denver.