“The British Book Market 1600 - 1800” and “The Industrialization of the Book 1800 -1970”

Summary

The British Book Market 1600 - 1800

• The book trade is a complex system, with many key players involved. Robert Danton developed the concept of the book circuit, which shows how many people have a hand in making in distributing books, from the author to the publisher.
• As the market for printed text grew, authorship became an economically viable activity during the eighteenth century. John Newberry was the first publisher to cater to children, and it grew the field substantially. The demand for books also grew past London. Other English markets started selling books before the invention of printing.
• The distribution system was one of the final links in the circuit, which brought together consumers and producers. Through laws like The 1710 Copyright Act, the book distribution system remained carefully controlled with consequences for unauthorized resellers of text.
• In 1661, Francis Kirkman opened the first circulation library, where people could borrow books for a fee. By 1800 Britain became a print-dependent culture, with an increasingly literate population.

The Industrialization of the Book 1800 -1970

• The mechanization of the papermaking process was crucial to the industrialization of the book. Nicholas-Louis Roberts invented a papermaking system that produced more paper in a single vat, than what could be done by hand in a week. By 1850, the production of paper had risen from 2.5 lb per capita in 1800 to 8 lb.
• The new iron press superseded the wooden hand press, and required less effort, but provided greater results. Newspapers and periodicals continued to drive the advancement of printing machines.
• Stereotyping, electrotyping and the introduction of hot metal, also sped up production times. By the 1850’s bookbinding had advanced, along with Charles Pickering’s Diamond Classics series.Lithography was also an important advancement. By 1970, the entire process of making books was automated.

Comment

When an industry goes from man to machine made, the “old” way of doing something is regarded as an ancient art. The artisans who survive the mechanization of their craft become some of the only people left skilled in their trade. Pieces of a book used to all come together in one location, but after the industrialization of the industry, pieces were outsourced to be combined later.

Question

During Elizabeth of England’s time, books were seen as a luxury, while King George III’s society saw them as an everyday part of life. What everyday parts of our life are seen as luxuries in lesser developed parts of the world?

-Deyla Gantt