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Publishing methods for the printed book as a symbol of powerand authority, from renaissance since the enlightenment

• Μπάνου, Χριστίνα

The printed book, since its origin, was a symbol of power, good taste and authority for Renaissance noblemen, and generally for the political and religious power. In that framework, thiw paper examines the publishing and editorial methods that were used from printers – publishers of that period in their attempt to satisfy and acknowledge those special readers – users. It also attempts to explain the reasons for this particular publishing policy. The methods concern the content and the book as printed material and as object of art. Publishing methods, related to all the copies of the tirage, were the prologues, the dedicatory letters or poems, and the introductions. Techniques related to one only, special copy, which was often offered as a present, were the unique binding and hand-illumination. Those expensive, luxury copies express the influence of the manuscript tradition. Some of the used methods concerned part of the tirage, such as title pages with different name of sponsor or different dedication, according to the person for whom the copy or the copies were to be given. The methods mentioned above demonstrate the ideological and aesthetical usages of the printed book, while at the same time express the relationship between men of letters and editions, on the one hand, and men of political and religious power, on the other. Furthermore, it is of special interest that these particular methods, adapted to modern needs and expectations, are used nowadays by the publishing industry.

• Other social sciences

• Βιβλία