Minor Publishers in the Renaissance

Some major publishers dominated the publishing scene in the Renaissance, like Aldo Manuzio and his family in Venice, and the Giunti family in Florence. From early on however there were many minor publishers, often very engaged, but successful only for a few years. These were often intellectuals, who followed special interests in their publishing policy. In Florence there was Anton Francesco Doni, member of the literary academy, who published his own works, but also those of his academy fellows, for example the lessons they presented in the Academy. His engagement did not lead to financial success and after a few years he had to stop. In Venice Francesco Sansovino was a likeminded, who published his own works as well and those of his friends, and some literary editions. There are numerous examples of private engagement in printing. This edition collects a few telling examples.

Edited by Angela Dressen, Susanne Gramatzki, Berenike Knoblich.
(Image: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_printing#/media/File:Printer_in_1568-ce.png)