Innovation and Printing

Until 1450 books were written by hand, generally in the place where they were used, generally according to needs. With the development of universities in the later middle ages, some books were produced serially, using the pecia system, but still to be sold within the place of production. Printing started in Germany in the 1450s. An introduction to the first two decades was prepared for the exhibition Gutenberg & After, held at Princeton University Library in 2019.

Printing in Italy was first introduced to Subiaco in 1465 by Conrad Sweynheym & Arnold Pannartz. A focus on this early production can be found in the Polonsky Subiaco Project.

The two German printers moved to Rome in 1467.

Credits: Cristina Dondi - Printing R-Evolution Exhibition, https://www.printingrevolution.eu/virtual-exhibition-printing-revolution/; Sebastiano Girardi Studio, Venice