Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
The Book Trade. In the Early Modern Period Book History in Practice Stacey Redick, 28 February 2011. Table of Contents. Histoire du Livre The Coming of the Book The Book Trade: Challenges The Book Trade: Commercial Network The Book Trade: International Fairs - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
The Book TradeThe Book TradeThe Book TradeThe Book Trade
In the Early Modern PeriodIn the Early Modern Period
Book History in PracticeBook History in PracticeStacey Redick, 28 February 2011Stacey Redick, 28 February 2011
In the Early Modern PeriodIn the Early Modern Period
Book History in PracticeBook History in PracticeStacey Redick, 28 February 2011Stacey Redick, 28 February 2011
Table of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of Contents
Histoire du Livre
The Coming of the Book
The Book Trade: Challenges
The Book Trade: Commercial Network
The Book Trade: International Fairs
International Fairs: The Frankfurt Fair
The Frankfurt Fair: Book Catalogs
Questions
Histoire du Livre
The Coming of the Book
The Book Trade: Challenges
The Book Trade: Commercial Network
The Book Trade: International Fairs
International Fairs: The Frankfurt Fair
The Frankfurt Fair: Book Catalogs
Questions
Histoire du LivreHistoire du LivreHistoire du LivreHistoire du Livre
“The new strain [of book history] developed during the 1960s in France... spread through publications like L’Apparition du livre (1958), by Lucien Febvre and Henri-Jean Martin..” - Robert Darnton, “What is the History of Books?”
“Annales school” of socioeconomic history - a style of historiography developed by French historians in the 20th century.
Studied the general pattern of book production, transmission and consumption over time.
Materials studied: statistics from requests for privilèges, contents of private libraries, ordinary types of books.
“The new strain [of book history] developed during the 1960s in France... spread through publications like L’Apparition du livre (1958), by Lucien Febvre and Henri-Jean Martin..” - Robert Darnton, “What is the History of Books?”
“Annales school” of socioeconomic history - a style of historiography developed by French historians in the 20th century.
Studied the general pattern of book production, transmission and consumption over time.
Materials studied: statistics from requests for privilèges, contents of private libraries, ordinary types of books.
The Coming of the BookThe Coming of the BookThe Coming of the BookThe Coming of the Book
“The printed book played its part in a whole range of basic changes which were taking place at the time ... We hope to establish how and why the printed book was something more than a triumph of technical ingenuity, but was also one of the most potent agents at the disposal of western civilization in bringing together the scattered ideas of representative thinkers” (10).
The story of the printed book is one which deals with the “effect on European culture of a new means of communicating ideas within a society that was essentially aristocratic, ... that accepted and was long to accept a culture and a tradition of learning which was restricted to certain social groups” (12).
Sources: statistics, inventories, professional records
“The printed book played its part in a whole range of basic changes which were taking place at the time ... We hope to establish how and why the printed book was something more than a triumph of technical ingenuity, but was also one of the most potent agents at the disposal of western civilization in bringing together the scattered ideas of representative thinkers” (10).
The story of the printed book is one which deals with the “effect on European culture of a new means of communicating ideas within a society that was essentially aristocratic, ... that accepted and was long to accept a culture and a tradition of learning which was restricted to certain social groups” (12).
Sources: statistics, inventories, professional records
The Coming of the Book The Coming of the Book - - statisticsstatistics
The Coming of the Book The Coming of the Book - - statisticsstatistics
Basic data: sizes of editions
Economic balance: printing enough, but not too much
General pattern:
16th: editions of 1,000-1,500 copies (218)
17th: similar numbers, with slightly higher numbers (2,000) for religious texts and textbooks (219)
What can this tell us about reading practices in the 16th and 17th centuries?
Basic data: sizes of editions
Economic balance: printing enough, but not too much
General pattern:
16th: editions of 1,000-1,500 copies (218)
17th: similar numbers, with slightly higher numbers (2,000) for religious texts and textbooks (219)
What can this tell us about reading practices in the 16th and 17th centuries?
The Coming of the Book The Coming of the Book - - historyhistory
The Coming of the Book The Coming of the Book - - historyhistory
Focus:
15th to 18th Centuries (11)
Europe - mainly France, Germany, Italy
Development of printing increased the production of books and the audience for popular literature.
Majority of texts produced were of interest to a much smaller population of readers (216).
Problem: finding enough retail outlets
Focus:
15th to 18th Centuries (11)
Europe - mainly France, Germany, Italy
Development of printing increased the production of books and the audience for popular literature.
Majority of texts produced were of interest to a much smaller population of readers (216).
Problem: finding enough retail outlets
Many of the international printing centers (Pettegree Many of the international printing centers (Pettegree 76)76)
Many of the international printing centers (Pettegree Many of the international printing centers (Pettegree 76)76)
Challenges in the Early Modern Challenges in the Early Modern Book TradeBook Trade
Challenges in the Early Modern Challenges in the Early Modern Book TradeBook Trade
Transportation
Risks: Weather, robbery, war, accident, delay, misdirection (223).
Piracy v. Regulation
No medieval guild existed for printed books.
Privileges granted not valid outside granting authority’s jurisdiction
Censorship - religious and political
How closely are these problems related to the ones that exist in book publishing, marketing and selling today?
Transportation
Risks: Weather, robbery, war, accident, delay, misdirection (223).
Piracy v. Regulation
No medieval guild existed for printed books.
Privileges granted not valid outside granting authority’s jurisdiction
Censorship - religious and political
How closely are these problems related to the ones that exist in book publishing, marketing and selling today?
The Importance of Commercial The Importance of Commercial NetworksNetworks
The Importance of Commercial The Importance of Commercial NetworksNetworks
To sell enough merchandise as rapidly as possible, booksellers, printers and publishers needed strong commercial networks (216).
Success depended on such networks.
Example: Correspondence of Johann Amerbach
Koberger
Rusch
To sell enough merchandise as rapidly as possible, booksellers, printers and publishers needed strong commercial networks (216).
Success depended on such networks.
Example: Correspondence of Johann Amerbach
Koberger
Rusch
The Importance of Commercial The Importance of Commercial NetworksNetworks
The Importance of Commercial The Importance of Commercial NetworksNetworks
People: Printers, publishers, booksellers but also scholars, editors, authors, collectors.
Scholars corresponded to procure books, offer gossip, advice and news.
Example: Willem Vorsterman, printer.
People: Printers, publishers, booksellers but also scholars, editors, authors, collectors.
Scholars corresponded to procure books, offer gossip, advice and news.
Example: Willem Vorsterman, printer.
International FairsInternational FairsInternational FairsInternational Fairs
“The selling of books at fairs was an established custom from the earliest times, and persisted for centuries...” (226).
The great fairs were held at Leipzig, Lyons, Frankfurt and Medina del Campo (226).
Geography: Fairs generally occurred in cities built on commercial crossroads.
“The selling of books at fairs was an established custom from the earliest times, and persisted for centuries...” (226).
The great fairs were held at Leipzig, Lyons, Frankfurt and Medina del Campo (226).
Geography: Fairs generally occurred in cities built on commercial crossroads.
International Fairs International Fairs - - advantagesadvantages
International Fairs International Fairs - - advantagesadvantages
Advantages
Regularity (226)
Forum for networking
Transportation of merchandise
Market prediction
Encouraged technical innovation
Sales
Accounts
Advantages
Regularity (226)
Forum for networking
Transportation of merchandise
Market prediction
Encouraged technical innovation
Sales
Accounts
International Fairs International Fairs - - schedulingscheduling
International Fairs International Fairs - - schedulingscheduling
Printers and authors organized their schedules around the fairs.
Example: Calvin
“I will leave this topic to the next fair.”
How would this type of statement affect readers and buyers of books?
Printers and authors organized their schedules around the fairs.
Example: Calvin
“I will leave this topic to the next fair.”
How would this type of statement affect readers and buyers of books?
““The Fair” - FrankfurtThe Fair” - Frankfurt““The Fair” - FrankfurtThe Fair” - Frankfurt
“The most important book fair was originally at Lyons” (226).
Yet: “Another book fair developed during the 16th century and became even more important than those of Lyons: The Frankfurt Fair” (228).
Home of a major book fair from 1475, remained at the center of the international book trade for 200 years.
Also played a significant role in the German book trade.
Not an international center for printing or publishing.
“The most important book fair was originally at Lyons” (226).
Yet: “Another book fair developed during the 16th century and became even more important than those of Lyons: The Frankfurt Fair” (228).
Home of a major book fair from 1475, remained at the center of the international book trade for 200 years.
Also played a significant role in the German book trade.
Not an international center for printing or publishing.
The Frankfurt Fair The Frankfurt Fair - schedule- scheduleThe Frankfurt Fair The Frankfurt Fair - schedule- schedule
Two Frankfurt Fairs: One during Lent, one at Michaelmas.
The Lenten Fair:
dates, durations varied over time
1366-1383: two weeks
1384-1394: almost four weeks
1400: just under three weeks
Two Frankfurt Fairs: One during Lent, one at Michaelmas.
The Lenten Fair:
dates, durations varied over time
1366-1383: two weeks
1384-1394: almost four weeks
1400: just under three weeks
The Frankfurt Fair The Frankfurt Fair - schedule- scheduleThe Frankfurt Fair The Frankfurt Fair - schedule- schedule
The Michaelmas Fair:
Originally held around the feast of Assumption on 15 August
Later: 24 August - 8 September
1349: 15 August - 8 September
1394: ended on 15 September
late 16th century: began on a Monday between 6-12 September
The Michaelmas Fair:
Originally held around the feast of Assumption on 15 August
Later: 24 August - 8 September
1349: 15 August - 8 September
1394: ended on 15 September
late 16th century: began on a Monday between 6-12 September
Highlight: Buchgasse, the main book trade Highlight: Buchgasse, the main book trade thoroughfare (Flood 3).thoroughfare (Flood 3).
Highlight: Buchgasse, the main book trade Highlight: Buchgasse, the main book trade thoroughfare (Flood 3).thoroughfare (Flood 3).
The Frankfurt Fair The Frankfurt Fair - people- peopleThe Frankfurt Fair The Frankfurt Fair - people- people
Booksellers, printers, publishers, paper merchants, type-founders, bookbinders, dye-casters, type engravers
Scholars - to trade complimentary copies for other works.
Authors - to promote manuscripts.
Printers such as Johann Amerbach (from Basel) and Michael Wessler (in 1478), agents from bookseller Anton Koberger (from Nuremburg), and from printer Christophe Plantin (from Antwerp).
Booksellers, printers, publishers, paper merchants, type-founders, bookbinders, dye-casters, type engravers
Scholars - to trade complimentary copies for other works.
Authors - to promote manuscripts.
Printers such as Johann Amerbach (from Basel) and Michael Wessler (in 1478), agents from bookseller Anton Koberger (from Nuremburg), and from printer Christophe Plantin (from Antwerp).
The Frankfurt Fair The Frankfurt Fair - why so - why so important?important?
The Frankfurt Fair The Frankfurt Fair - why so - why so important?important?
Accustomed to seasonal commerce
Began as a major medieval fair in the eighth century.
Was confirmed by charters in 1240 and 1330.
Geographical location
Was equidistant from major cities in Europe.
Was situated at the center of major trade routes.
Accustomed to seasonal commerce
Began as a major medieval fair in the eighth century.
Was confirmed by charters in 1240 and 1330.
Geographical location
Was equidistant from major cities in Europe.
Was situated at the center of major trade routes.
Heart of Europe. The geographical disposition of Heart of Europe. The geographical disposition of Europe’s major printing centers (Pettegree 269).Europe’s major printing centers (Pettegree 269).Heart of Europe. The geographical disposition of Heart of Europe. The geographical disposition of Europe’s major printing centers (Pettegree 269).Europe’s major printing centers (Pettegree 269).
The Frankfurt Fair The Frankfurt Fair - catalogs- catalogsThe Frankfurt Fair The Frankfurt Fair - catalogs- catalogs
“Among the most original features of the Frankfurt Fair were the catalogues which were produced of the books available at the fair ... catalogues of books for sale and in print were a very early feature of the trade and from at least 1470, if not earlier, agents employed by the big publishers drew up lists...” (230).
In 1564 Augsburg bookseller Georg Willer produced the first general fair catalog.
“In 1598 the Town Council decided to publish an official catalogue which came out without interruption until the 18th century and served as a source for the first bibliographic studies which were published in Germany in the 17th century” (231).
“Among the most original features of the Frankfurt Fair were the catalogues which were produced of the books available at the fair ... catalogues of books for sale and in print were a very early feature of the trade and from at least 1470, if not earlier, agents employed by the big publishers drew up lists...” (230).
In 1564 Augsburg bookseller Georg Willer produced the first general fair catalog.
“In 1598 the Town Council decided to publish an official catalogue which came out without interruption until the 18th century and served as a source for the first bibliographic studies which were published in Germany in the 17th century” (231).
Works CitedWorks CitedWorks CitedWorks Cited
Darnton, Robert. “What is the History of the Book?” Daedalus 111.3. 1982. 65-83. Print.
Febvre, Lucien and Henri-Jean Martin. “The Book Trade.” The Coming of the Book. 1958. Print.
Febvre, Lucien. “Preface.” The Coming of the Book. 1958. Print.
Flood, John L. “‘Omnium totius orbis emporiorum compendium’: the Frankfurt Fair in the Early Modern Period.” Fairs, Markets & the Itinerant Book Trade. Oak Knoll Press, DE. 2007. 1-42. Print.
Pettegree, Andrew. The Book in the Renaissance. Yale University Press, New Haven. 2010. Print.
Darnton, Robert. “What is the History of the Book?” Daedalus 111.3. 1982. 65-83. Print.
Febvre, Lucien and Henri-Jean Martin. “The Book Trade.” The Coming of the Book. 1958. Print.
Febvre, Lucien. “Preface.” The Coming of the Book. 1958. Print.
Flood, John L. “‘Omnium totius orbis emporiorum compendium’: the Frankfurt Fair in the Early Modern Period.” Fairs, Markets & the Itinerant Book Trade. Oak Knoll Press, DE. 2007. 1-42. Print.
Pettegree, Andrew. The Book in the Renaissance. Yale University Press, New Haven. 2010. Print.
QuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestions
What can the study of numbers of edition sizes tell us about reading practices in the 16th and 17th centuries?
How closely are these problems of the book trade (i.e. transportation, piracy, regulation and censorship) related to the ones that exist in book publishing, marketing and selling today?
How would Calvin’s statement, “I will leave this topic to the next fair,” affect readers and buyers of books in the early modern period?
How did book fairs like those of Frankfurt affect the (perception of the) fixedness of the book?
What do you think of the approach of the histoire du livre scholars, and that of Febvre and Martin in particular?
Others?
What can the study of numbers of edition sizes tell us about reading practices in the 16th and 17th centuries?
How closely are these problems of the book trade (i.e. transportation, piracy, regulation and censorship) related to the ones that exist in book publishing, marketing and selling today?
How would Calvin’s statement, “I will leave this topic to the next fair,” affect readers and buyers of books in the early modern period?
How did book fairs like those of Frankfurt affect the (perception of the) fixedness of the book?
What do you think of the approach of the histoire du livre scholars, and that of Febvre and Martin in particular?
Others?
The End.The End.The End.The End.
