The history of print from 1600 to 1699
This page documents the evolution of printing and publishing during the seventeenth century.
1622
The Weekly Newes from Italy is the first news book to carry the date of publication on its title page.
1626
Plantin prints the first facsimile, a copy of the 16th century ‘Martyrologium Hieronymianum’ which gets engraved on copper plates. A facsimile is a reproduction of an old book, manuscript, map, art print or other item that is as true to the original source as possible.
1631
The word ‘not’ is accidentally left out of Exodus 20:14 in a reprint of the King James Bible. The Archbishop of Canterbury and King Charles I are not amused when they learn that God commanded Moses “Thou shalt commit adultery”. The printers, Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, are fined and have their printing license revoked. The King orders all bibles to be destroyed but eleven still exist today. This version of the Bible is referred to as The Wicked Bible and also called the Adulterous Bible or Sinner’s Bible.
1640
In Paris the Imprimerie Royale du Louvre is established at the instigation of Richelieu. The first book that is published is ‘De Imitatione Christi’ (The Imitation of Christ), a widely read Catholic Christian spiritual book that was first published in Latin around 1418.
1642
Ludwig von Siegen invents mezzotint, a technique to reproduce half-tones by roughening a copper plate with thousands of little dots made by a metal tool with small teeth, called a ‘rocker’. The tiny pits in the plate hold the ink when the face of the plate is wiped clean.
1690
The first American paper mill is established.
1692
Lloyd’s News is the forerunner of Lloyd’s List, a journal containing maritime news. It is one of the world’s oldest continuously-running journals: issue 59200 appeared in 2007.