Aldus Manutius: The Invention of the Publisher (Renaissance Lives)

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 book: 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. Cover 1 Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Note on Names and Translations 8 Introduction 10 1. Carpi and Venice 28 2. After Daedalus 58 3. Divine Impressions 92 4. The Printer as Prince 116 Epilogue: Utopia 146 Chronology 156 References 160 Select Bibliography 195 Acknowledgements 198 Photo Acknowledgements 200 Index 202