Print comes to Europe


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Print comes to Europe

Print comes to Europe: For centuries, silk and spices from China flowed into Europe through the silk route. In the 11th century, Chinese paper reached Europe via the same route. In 1295, Marco Polo (a great explorer) returned to Italy after many years of exploration in China. He brought the technology of woodblock printing back with him. Italians began producing books with woodblocks. Luxury editions were still handwritten on very expensive vellum, meant for aristocratic circles. Merchant and students bought the cheaper printed copies.

Increase in Demand for Book: As the demand for books increased, the book-sellers of Europe began exporting books to many different countries.

  • Book fairs were held at different places.
  • Production of handwritten manuscripts was also organised in new ways to meet the expanded demand.
  • Scribes (skilled handwriters) were no longer solely employed by wealthy or influential patrons, but increasingly by book-sellers as well. More than 50 scribes or skilled handwriters often worked for one book-seller.
  • However, increasing demand for books could not be satisfied by the production of handwritten manuscripts. Woodblock printing gradually became more and more popular. 

  • Vellum:- A Parchment made from the skin of animals . 
  • Manuscript :- Book or document written by hand , author's original copy handwritten or typed , not printed . 
  • Scribes :- Skilled people who copy manuscripts or handwriters of ancient and medieval periods before the invention of printing . 
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