The Book Trade in the Early Modern Period

• a discussion of the transition from manuscripts to books produced with moveable type in the West and its implications for the business of books;
• the process of printing with moveable type using a common press, both in one and more colours;
• different illustration methods and their inclusion into printed books;
• cost accounting, fixed costs and variable costs;
• methods to compare book prices in different currencies and over longer time-spans;
• product differentiation: bibliographic formats, paper stocks (incl. blue paper);
• aspects of lay-out and book design in relationship with book prices;
• B2B or whole sale book trade, i.e., between professionals;
• B2C or retail book trade;
  strategies for risk reduction;
• privileges;
• book bindings.

Concrete examples and exercices should help better to understand different aspects of the book trade. Students are kindly invited to engage in the discussion and to ask questions.