An introduction to the archaeology of rare books

Early modern books were material objects that contain a wealth of information about their makers and users. By adopting an archaeological approach, their study can reveal vital information about the production of an edition (bibliographical and commercial details, but also choices and accidents in the printer’s workshop), as well as details specific to a copy that was customised for and by its owner: choice of binding and decoration, provenances, annotations, as well as traces of dirt and damage.

Thanks to this knowledge, the participants will be better equipped to describe a book correctly but also to understand its production and circulation contexts, as well as the different stages of its life, from the workshop that produced it and its first buyers, to its current situation on the shelves of a library. This session is especially suitable for PhD-students and early career researchers who wish to increase their skills in book history and material bibliography, as well as for curators who work with rare books.

Malcolm Walsby is professor of book history at the French National Library and Information Science School Enssib in Lyon. He is director of the Gabriel Naudé research centre, and co-founder of the Universal Short Title Catalogue. He is the author of a number of monographies and articles on history and the history of the book in Europe during the Renaissance and currently coordinates the research network Sammelband 15-16, devoted to the material study of printed volumes and book collections.

A social rate can be offered for the workshops. Please contact us at info@allardpierson.nl.

Anouk Heeres