Chapter III (3)

The most important of the early printer-publishers of Florence was Nicholas of Breslau. In 1477, he published Bettini’s _Monte Sancto di Dio_, which, according to Humphreys, presents the first example of illustrations by means of engraved plates. In 1478, Nicholas published an edition of Dante, the most elaborate that had yet appeared. Dante had evidently already taken possession of the intellectual interest of Italy, and as early as 1472, no less than three editions had appeared. The fact that the poetry of Dante was given to the public in Italian, secured for it a much wider range of popular appreciation than was within reach of works written in Latin. The same was true of the works of Boccaccio and of Petrarch, which, with the aid of the printing-press, promptly came into the hands of large circles of readers. _Petrarch_ was first printed in 1470, and _Boccaccio_ in 1471, and thereafter editions of both authors followed rapidly.

In 1474, a press was set up in the monastery of San Jacopo di Ripili, near Florence, by two monks of the Brotherhood of S. Dominic. The greater part of the books printed by them were distributed among the monasteries as gifts or in exchange, but as the reputation of their publications increased, they found it necessary to accept orders from booksellers and from the outside public. Later, they added a type-foundry to their plant.

=Genoa.=--The first printing-office in Genoa was established in 1471 by a German from Olmutz, named Moravus, who associated with himself, in 1474, an Italian named Michael da Monaco. The scribes, or _manuscriptists_, as they called themselves, made a vigorous protest against the new art. They addressed, in 1471, a petition to the magistracy in which they prayed to be protected from the competition of these newly arrived printers, at least as far as the production of Breviaries, Donati, and Psalters was concerned, as upon the multiplication of these they depended for their livelihood. Humphreys states that the original of this petition is still in existence.[453] The record of the reply given by the magistrates has not been preserved.

The printers were evidently not forbidden to print these books of service, as editions were speedily produced. The influence of the scribes appears, however, in the end, to have been sufficient to establish a kind of cabal against the printers, and in the course of a year or two the German gave up the attempt and removed his press to Naples. There was doubtless in all the Italian cities a large measure of jealousy and opposition on the part of the old _librarii_, _stationarii_, and _scriptores_, but Genoa appears to have been the only city where they were strong enough actually to drive out the printers, at least for a time.

The first Hebrew Bible printed in Europe was issued in Soncino in 1488, from the press of Abraham Colonto. It is described as a very fine piece of typography and as note-worthy for the artistic chapter-headings and for the elaborate decorations of the marginal borders of the pages.

END OF VOLUME I.

The Question of Copyright

Comprising the text of the Copyright Law of the United States, and a summary of the Copyright laws at present in force in the chief countries of the world; together with a report of the legislation now pending in Great Britain, a sketch of the contest in the United States, 1837-1891, in behalf of International Copyright, and certain papers on the development of the conception of literary property and on the results of the American law of 1891.

COMPILED BY GEO. HAVEN PUTNAM, A.M.,

Secretary of the American Publishers’ Copyright League.

Second Edition, revised, with additions, and with the record of legislation brought down to March, 1896, octavo, gilt top, $1.75

CONTENTS.--The law of Copyright in the U. S. in force July 1, 1895.--Directions for securing Copyright.--Countries with which the U. S. is now in Copyright relations.--Amendments to the Copyright Act since July 1, 1891.--Summary of Copyright legislation in the U. S., by R. R. Bowker.--History of the contest for International Copyright.--The Hawley Bill of January, 1885.--The Pearsall-Smith scheme of Copyright.--Report of the House Committee on Patents, on the Bill of 1890-91, by W. E. Simonds.--The Platt-Simonds Act of March, 1891.--Analysis of the provisions of the Act of 1891.--Extracts from the speeches in the debates of 1891.--Results of the law of 1891 (considered in January 1894).--Summary of the international Copyright cases and decisions since the Act of 1891.--Abstract of the Copyright laws of Great Britain, with a digest of the same by Sir James Stephen.--Report of the British Copyright Commission of 1878.--The Monkswell Copyright bill of 1890, with an analysis by Sir Frederick Pollock.--The Berne Convention of 1887.--The Montevideo Convention of 1889.--The Nature and Origin of Copyright, by R. R. Bowker.--The Evolution of Copyright, by Brander Matthews.--Literary Property: an historical sketch.--Statutory Copyright in England, by R. R. Bowker.--Cheap Books and Good Books by Brander Matthews.--Copyright and the Prices of Books.--Copyright “Monopolies” and Protection.--States which have become parties to the Convention of Berne.--Summary of the existing Copyright laws of the world (March, 1896).--The status of Canada in regard to Copyright, January, 1896.--General Index.

_NOTICES._

A perfect arsenal of facts and arguments, carefully elaborated and very effectively presented.... Altogether it constitutes an extremely valuable history of the development of a very intricate right of property, and it is as interesting as it is valuable.--_N. Y. Nation._

A work of exceptional value for authors and booksellers, and for all interested in the history and status of literary property.--_Christian Register._

Until the new Copyright law has been in operation for some time, constant resource must be had to this workmanlike volume.--_The Critic._

G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS

New York: 27 West 23d St. London: 24 Bedford St., Strand

Authors and Their Public

In Ancient Times

A Sketch of Literary Conditions and of the Relations with the Public of Literary Producers, from the Earliest Times to the Fall of the Roman Empire.

By GEO. HAVEN PUTNAM, A.M.

Author of “The Question of Copyright,” “Books and their Makers During the Middle Ages,” etc.

Second Edition, Revised, 12º, gilt top $1.50

_NOTICES._

The Knickerbocker Press appears almost at its best in the delicately simple and yet attractive form which it has given to this work, wherein the chief of a celebrated publishing house sketches the gradual evolution of the idea of literary property.... The book abounds in information, is written in a delightfully succinct and agreeable manner, with apt comparisons that are often humorous, and with scrupulous exactness to statement, and without a sign of partiality either from an author’s or a publisher’s point of view.--_New York Times._

A most instructive book for the thoughtful and curious reader.... The author’s account of the literary development of Greece is evidence of careful investigation and of scholarly judgment. Mr. Putnam writes in a way to instruct a scholar and to interest the general reader. He has been exceptionally successful in describing the progress of letters, the peculiar environment of those who are interested in the career of the dramatist and the philosopher, and that habit of mind characteristic of Hellenic life.--_Philadelphia Press._

A most valuable review of the important subject of the beginnings of literary prosperity. The book presents also a powerful plea for the rights of authors. The beginnings of literary matters in Chaldea, Egypt, India, Persia, China, and Japan are exhibited with discrimination and fairness and in a very entertaining way. The work is a valuable contribution upon a subject of pressing interest to authors and their public.--_New York Observer._

The work shows broad cultivation, careful scholarly research, and original thought. The style is simple and straightforward, and the volume is both attractive and valuable.--_Richmond Times._

The volume is beautifully printed on good paper.... Every author ought to be compelled to buy and read this bright volume, and no publisher worthy of the name should be without it.--_Publishers’ Circular, London._

The book is one that will commend itself to every author, while at the same time it is full of entertainment for the general reader.--_London Sun._

G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS
New York: 29 West 23d St. London: 24 Bedford St., Strand

Books and Their Makers During the Middle Ages

A Study of the Conditions of the Production and Distribution of Literature from the Fall of the Roman Empire to the Close of the Seventeenth Century.

By GEO. HAVEN PUTNAM, A.M.

Author of “Authors and Their Public in Ancient Times,” “The Question of Copyright,” etc., etc.

In two volumes, 8º, cloth extra (sold separately), each $2.50

=Volume I. 476-1500.= (Ready April, 1896.)