The Business of Books: Booksellers and the English Book Trade 1450-1850

About this book

In 1450 very few English men or women were personally familiar with a book; by 1850 the great majority of people daily encountered books magazines or newspapers. This book explores the history of this fundamental transformation from the arrival of the printing press to the coming of steam. James Raven presents a lively and original account of the English book trade and the printers booksellers and entrepreneurs who promoted its development. Viewing print and book culture through the lens of commerce Raven offers a new interpretation of the genesis of literature and literary commerce in England. He draws on extensive archival sources to reconstruct the successes and failures of those involved in the book tradea cast of heroes and heroines villains and rogues. And through groundbreaking investigations of neglected aspects of book-trade history Raven thoroughly revises our understanding of the massive popularization of the book and the dramatic expansion of its markets over the centuries.