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
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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
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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.)
PART I.—BOOKS IN MANUSCRIPT.
I.—The Making of Books in the Monasteries.
Introductory.—Cassiodorus and S. Benedict.—The Earlier Monkish Scribes.—The Ecclesiastical Schools and the Clerics as Scribes.—Terms Used for Scribe Work.—S. Columba, the Apostle to Caledonia.—Nuns as Scribes.—Monkish Chroniclers.—The Work of the Scriptorium.—The Influence of the Scriptorium.—The Literary Monks of England.—The Earlier Monastery Schools.—The Benedictines of the Continent.—The Libraries of the Monasteries and their Arrangements for the Exchange of Books.
II.—Some Libraries of the Manuscript Period.
III.—The Making of Books in the Early Universities.
IV.—The Book-Trade in the Manuscript Period.
Italy.—Books in Spain.—The Manuscript Trade in France.—Manuscript Dealers in Germany.
PART II.—THE EARLIER PRINTED BOOKS.
I.—The Renaissance as the Forerunner of the Printing-Press.
II.—The Invention of Printing and the Work of the First Printers of Holland and Germany.
III.—The Printer-Publishers of Italy.
Volume II. 1500-1709. (Ready September, 1896.)
IV.—The Printer-Publishers of France.
V.—The Later Estiennes and Casaubon.
VI.—Caxton and the Introduction of Printing into England.
VII.—The Kobergers of Nuremberg.
VIII.—Froben of Basel.
IX.—Erasmus and his Books.
X.—Luther as an Author.
XI.—Plantin of Antwerp.
XII.—The Elzevirs of Leyden and Amsterdam.
XIII.—Italy: Privileges and Censorship.
XIV.—Germany: Privileges and Book-Trade Regulations.
XV.—France: Privileges, Censorship, and Legislation.
XVI.—England: Privileges, Censorship, and Legislation.
XVII.—Conclusion: The Development of the Conception of Literary Property.
G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS
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A Literary History of the English People
From the Earliest Times to the Present Day.
By J. J. JUSSERAND
Author of “The English Novel in the Time of Shakespeare,” etc., etc.
To be complete in three parts, each part forming one volume. (Sold separately.)
Part I.—From the Origins to the Renaissance. 8º, pp. xxii + 545. With frontispiece in photogravure. $3.50.
Part II.—From the Renaissance to Pope. (In press.)
Part III.—From Pope to the Present Day. (In preparation.)
We may say, without contradiction, that the marvellous story of our literature in its vital connection with the origin and growth of the English people has never been treated with a greater union of conscientious research, minute scholarship, pleasantness of humor, picturesqueness of style, and sympathetic intimacy.—London Chronicle.
The most important and delightful contribution to the popular study of English literature since Taine’s volumes were published, is to be made by M. J. J. Jusserand in his “Literary History of the English People.” ... Only the most meagre sketch of the pleasure in store for the readers of M. Jusserand’s volume can be given here. No one interested in the beginnings of English literature can fail to be pleased with this delightful study. A thoroughly stimulating book ... which will arouse fresh interest in the early periods of our literature.—Literary World.
M. Jusserand is an investigator of keen insight and indefatigable energy. He has also the quality which gives to him, from his Latin parentage, synthesis and literary tact.... He paints a picture.... It is unquestionably true that for this generation, M. Jusserand has said the last word on this subject.... For the period of Chaucer, he has summarized what is known with admirable skill.... His work must be accepted as the authority on the Middle Ages as they were lived in England.—N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
The book bears witness on every page to having been written by one whose mind was overflowing with information, and whose heart was in abounding sympathy with his work. Mr. Jusserand possesses pre-eminently the modern spirit of inquiry, which has for its object the attainment of truth and a comprehension of the beginnings of things and of the causes that have brought about effects.—N. Y. Times.
After so many excellent works, of which English literature is the subject, have been issued in England and on the Continent, after even the epic work of Taine, yet M. Jusserand still contrives to be original, fresh, and creative. The history of English literature has been written before, but what he gives us is something new; it is the literary history of the English people, that is to say, he makes us follow the historical evolution of the nation in literature, and what that evolution has created and revealed. He has employed a method which could not be used with success, except by a man with a thorough and correct knowledge of literature and the history of the English people, and of the people themselves, and one who is worthy of serious consideration by all literary historians.—La Revue de Paris, July 1, 1894, on the French Edition.
G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS
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