Aldus Manutius: The Invention of the Publisher

by Oren Margolis

A fresh reading of Aldus Manutius, preeminent in the history of the printed book.
 
Aldus Manutius is perhaps the greatest figure in the history of the printed in Venice, Europe’s capital of printing, he invented the italic type and issued more first editions of the classics than anyone before or since, as well as Hypnerotomachia Poliphili , the most beautiful and mysterious printed book of the Italian Renaissance.
 
This is the first monograph in English on Aldus Manutius in over forty years. It shows how Aldus redefined the role of a book printer, from mere manual laborer to a learned publisher. As a consequence, Aldus participated in the same debates as contemporaries such as Leonardo da Vinci and Erasmus of Rotterdam, making this book an insight into their world too.

Genres: Biography, History, Books About Books

208 pages, Hardcover

Published December 5, 2023

Reviews

[Marc Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a scholarly take on the life of Aldus Manutius, one of the greatest printers of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The book is thoroughly researched and very well written with a number of illustrations to illuminate the text. Oren Margolis goes farther than a simple biography of the printing side of Mr. Manutius, he incorporates the politics and the cultural and academic milieu of the time; all of which influenced Aldus and the press he owned. There are copious notes; we get the English translation in the text, with the original language at the rear of the book in the notes. I like this better than reading say a Latin text and having to turn to the back notes to read the English translation. To me this was not a fast read, as it is more of an academic treatise on Aldus Manutius, which requires close and careful reading to get the full meaning of the textural material. If you are at all interested in Aldus Manutius, his press and his place in the history of the time, then grab this book. It is well worth your time.