The Printed Book: Its History, Illustration and Adornment: From the Days of Gutenberg to the Present Time

"The Printed Book: Its History, Illustration and Adornment" by Henri Bouchot is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work offers a comprehensive survey of the development of the printed book from the time of Gutenberg to the present, highlighting the art and industry surrounding book production, illustration, and design. It paints a picture of the evolution of printing techniques and artistic contributions to bookmaking over four centuries. The opening of the text introduces reader to the preamble of the work, explaining its purpose as a summary of the book's history, focusing especially on the artistic elements as opposed to purely technical aspects of printing. Bouchot mentions the vast number of previous essays on the subject, signifying that while it may not provide new revelations for experts, it aims to be a useful resource for those interested. He notes a particular emphasis on illustrators and decorative artists, briefly recounting the early innovations in printing prior to Gutenberg’s movable type, and hints at the complexity of the development of the art form that this narrative will explore in the subsequent chapters.