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Description

From the Plantin-Moretus museum of printing history in Antwerp.

If you are in Antwerp, and have any interest at all in old books, typography, printing, don't miss this place. They do allow photograph, and will turn off the lights for you if you ask nicely (no flash though!), especially if you hold a"professional-looking" camera.

The cream-coloured book bindings are probably vellum, which was (is) made from calf-skin. The darker ones are mostly leather, some with gold lettering. Vellum bindings were common in the 16th and 17th centuries, although it was used in medieval times too. Books (codices) were rare before the Christian era - the Christians wanted to be able to turn to any section quickly, impossible with a scroll - but vellum was used both for scrolled and for early books long before then. However, the books on this bookshelf are probably from the 16th and 17th century, and some as late as maybe 19th century, because that's when the original printing shop that became the museum was active.

Taken in 2008. Watermarked image. IMG_3380.

Description

From the Plantin-Moretus museum of printing history in Antwerp.

If you are in Antwerp, and have any interest at all in old books, typography, printing, don't miss this place. They do allow photograph, and will turn off the lights for you if you ask nicely (no flash though!), especially if you hold a"professional-looking" camera.

The cream-coloured book bindings are probably vellum, which was (is) made from calf-skin. The darker ones are mostly leather, some with gold lettering. Vellum bindings were common in the 16th and 17th centuries, although it was used in medieval times too. Books (codices) were rare before the Christian era - the Christians wanted to be able to turn to any section quickly, impossible with a scroll - but vellum was used both for scrolled and for early books long before then. However, the books on this bookshelf are probably from the 16th and 17th century, and some as late as maybe 19th century, because that's when the original printing shop that became the museum was active.

Taken in 2008. Watermarked image. IMG_3380.