Course: Fundamentals of the Book

We are now accustomed to books that are identical and uniformly produced. In the pre-industrial era, readers had access to handwritten and printed books that were unique, with each copy presenting specific material details that offer a wealth of information on their makers and their users. How were these books produced, by whom, and for what purposes? How could readers personalise their books and adapt them to their needs? How did books circulate in the late medieval and early modern society, and what was their economic and cultural significance? This course provides an introduction to these objects, their makers, and their users, especially in the context of the rise of Amsterdam as an important centre of book production after the 16^th century. Guest speakers will present case studies, with objects from the collections of the Allard Pierson.

The course takes place from 28 August (afternoon) till 30 August. It consists of five sessions of three hours (in total: 15 hours of teaching).

Instructor:

Dr Katell Lavéant is curator of printed works at the Allard Pierson. She specialises in book history, with a special interest for the materiality of rare books, early modern libraries, and popular imprints. She is involved in the research network: ‘Sammelband 15-16’, a European network of book historians and librarians. Her recent publications focus on reading and book collecting practices in the 16^th century.

Entry level:

This course is designed for participants who have no previous knowledge of rare books before 1800 and wish to develop a basic understand of how they were made and how they were used in their historical context. It provides the necessary fundamentals for individuals wishing to specialize in heritage book professions, or to begin a research in book history. If you have any questions about the entry level or the detailed content of the course, please send an e-mail to Katell Lavéant.

Petra Huijgen