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The emergence of Isis as the publishing organ of the History of Science Society is remarkable given its uncertain origins. This essay surveys the periodical publishing landscape as it appeared to George Sarton on the eve of his founding of Isis and then focuses on the now-forgotten political and intellectual case that Sarton made for his new journal. Sarton is well known now for having yoked the history of science to a political project that emphasized internationalism and what he came to call "New Humanism." But the vision that first motivated him was focused on the history of science as a genealogical study of intelligence aimed at improving the collective intellectual output of humanity. This was géniologie , "a branch of eugenics." And even after Sarton moved on, this early vision profoundly shaped Isis 's design, particularly in its privileging of critical bibliography and biography, features that long outlasted their original theoretical aims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the history of the humanities is rapidly expanding as a new field of study, questions about diversity and inclusiveness of the field have rarely been addressed. An examination of the papers presented at the Making of the Humanities conferences and the articles published in the History of Humanities journal shows that the field is far from diverse. In this essay, I argue that pursuing greater diversity is fruitful for the field because it helps to avoid gaps and biases, uncovers interactions and influences across regions, debunks myths in the history of the humanities, and allows for finding global trends that are left unnoticed otherwise. I will offer three suggestions—for researchers, teachers, and the Society for the History of the Humanities—for how we can turn the history of the humanities into a more diverse and inclusive field. While I focus mostly on cultural and geographical diversity, I also address gender diversity at the end of the essay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Spedding-Ellis-Heath edition of The Works of Francis Bacon appeared in seven volumes between 1857 and 1859. Both a monument to Victorian scholarship and a staple of the history of science, this classic and historically significant work has been the authoritative edition of Bacon's oeuvre ever since. This essay tells part of the story of its creation, reception, and influence. It describes the origin of and plan for the edition and, focusing on the three philosophical volumes, examines in detail the collaboration between James Spedding and Robert Leslie Ellis. On the basis of fresh archival research, it is shown that Spedding and Ellis disagreed fundamentally about the very thing their new edition was meant to settle: the correct interpretation of Bacon's philosophical writings and of the role of his famous inductive method in the development of modern science from the time of Newton. With the Works , Spedding and Ellis did more than furnish what was long believed to be the Baconian canon; they also (at least in part unwittingly) produced a valuable primary source for the history of nineteenth-century Baconianism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a history of the book "Typographical Antiquities," by Joseph Ames. The author discusses the history of British antiquarians, including Thomas Hearne, James Bagford, and Humphrey Wanley, and explores how Ames went about compiling the history of book publishing and printing in the 18th century.

In the eighteenth century there were enough printed sources and archival materials to challenge or even overwhelm historians of that day. Two productive editors of lexicons and information management were Christian Gottlieb Jöcher, who taught history at the University of Leipzig and became the chief librarian at his university, and Johann Heinrich Zedler, an eminent collector of biographical data. Jöcher published his multivolume Allegemeines Gelehrten Lexicon in 1750-51. Jöcher's chief rival and competitor, Zedler, published and finished his 64-volume Universal-Lexicon 1732-50. Both Jöcher and Zedler claimed much networking among other scholars. Some questions treated in this essay include the following: What characterized Jöcher's and Zedler's library and source management? In what ways is their viral work still of use and value to librarians and other scholars? Does revisiting old and dusty scholarship help us understand our own information jam? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an outlook on future possibilities for early modern book history and bibliography in line with his creation of Shakespeare Census to locate and describe all existing copies of the work of dramatist William Shakespeare through 1700. Topics covered include importance of the close analysis and ongoing re-analysis of particular copies of Shakespearean texts, literary historicism of "Hamlet," and impact of curatorial and scholarly decisions governing early 17th-century playbooks.

A biography is presented of Venetian publisher Bernardino Giolito de Ferrari, also known as Bernardino Stagnino. The author discusses the works he printed from 1483 to 1538, explores how he impacted the history of book publishing by selecting works that would be interesting to buyers and by developing deluxe versions of texts, and analyzes the design of his signature mark known as a printer device.

This article describes the history of the Copeland & Day publishing house, whose logo is depicted on the cover of this issue. The firm did not last long, only from 1893 to 1899, but it left a lasting influence on publishing. The company was known for incorporating innovative cover design with high-quality printing to create high-quality books for a wide audience. Their distinctive publisher's device incorporated Renaissance elements with those of the Arts & Crafts movement of the late 19th century.

The article explores the book market and economic demand for literature in France during the ancien régime era before the French Revolution. The author also considers a digital archive (www://robertdarnton.org) which includes the letters of booksellers and statistics on the French publishing industry. Emphasis is given to topics such as the archives of the the Société typographique de Neuchâtel (STN), bestselling books, and competition from foreign booksellers.

The article discusses the woman poet and prophet Joanna Southcott's efforts to publish and print prophecies in the early 19th century England, including her communications with the divine Spirit. An overview of the role that England's print culture played in the development of Christian literature in the country is provided.

An essay is presented which discusses the design layout of title pages of Latin language and vernacular Dutch language editions of literature published in the southern Netherlands from 1541 through 1660. An overview of the typography used in title pages, including red ink, fleurons and printed paragraph marks, or pilcrows, is provided.

Writers on American prints generally have ignored the speculative and entrepreneurial aspects of printing and publishing, and business histories are difficult to reconstruct because so little primary evidence remains. This article stitches together information from a variety of sources about workshop practices and staffing, coloring, costs, distribution and advertising, and the importance of job printing in the production of American lithographs from the late 1820s through the Civil War. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essay is presented which explores the editorial history of the autobiography "Life and Times of Frederick Douglass" by African American author and former slave Frederick Douglass. The author reflects on the literary identity of Douglass as managed by his editors and publishers. Other topics include the preservation of authorial intention, revised editions, and textual transmission.

The article discusses the history of the publication of the book "A View of the Present State of Ireland" by English poet Edmund Spenser. Topics discussed included the first entry of the book in the Stationers' Register in 1598 under Matthew Lownes, the recovery of William Scott's treatise "Model of Poesy" which confirmed Spenser's authorship of the book, and the first publication of the book by Irish antiquary James Ware in 1633.

The article presents literary criticism of the book "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë. According to the author, the book's language was influenced by Brontë's understanding of the 19th-century publishing marketplace. It is suggested that Brontë used the design and rhetorical structure of her novels to anticipate and defend herself against possible misunderstandings of her work which would classify her as a romantic, mass-market author. Bronté's reading habits and early writings are also discussed.

The article focuses on the history of almanacs in Antwerp, Belgium from 1626-1642. Topics discussed include the reasons why almanacs are the least preserved type of printed material, the advantages of almanac over other printed materials and for printing companies, the success of printer Godtgaf Verhulst in the almanac trade and the economic significance of almanac and competition among printers.

The article discusses the history of the binding methods used in book printing and publishing up to 1830. Details are given outlining the means by which binders had to follow detailed instructions to sew together the pages in order to properly assemble a complete volume. Several ways in which errors could occur and the various systems of directions used to convey and confirm the correct processes are described.

The article presents an overview of research which evaluated the history of the first 15 years (1915-1929) of the Knopf publishing company, which was established by publisher Alfred Knopf, and literature which was published by the company . A discussion of additional research which attempted to examine the quality and aesthetics of literature that had been published by Knopf publishing, and Knopf's impact on publishing, is presented.

The article discusses the publication of the book "Hortus Eystettensis," by Basilius Besler. The price of the book at the time of its initial printing, the development of a trade and a deluxe version of the work, and the types of paper on which the books were printed are examined. Explanations for the appearance of deluxe issues printed on inferior paper, trade issues lacking text verso, and patronage during the early 17th century are also discussed.

The article examines the publication and readership of chapbooks published during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with particular focus given to those produced by Ann and Henry Lemoine, publishers of popular literature. Their status as members of the London, England working class and their work in the book trade as printers, writers, and booksellers are examined. The financial difficulties connected with the literary trade are also discussed.

The article explores the adoption of chapel rules by publishers in Great Britain. The main objective of the chapel rules was to discourage carelessness and inefficiency in printing. The rules punished disruptive or potentially disruptive behavior. Meanwhile, the rules in the book "Mechanick Exercises on the Whole Art of Writing," by Joseph Moxon, contained prohibitions against cursing and lying.

Explores the publishing history of the book 'Struwwelpeter,' by Heinrich Hoffmann. Application of the metaphorical meaning of childhood; Focus on the original German editions; Facts about the making and shaping of the children's classic.

Explores the publishing history of the book 'The Game of Logic,' by Lewis Carroll. Complexity of the nature of the book; Suppression of the publication of the 1886 edition of the book by C.L. Dodgson; Examination of Dodgson's diary entries; Analysis of the correspondence of Dodgson with his publisher, Macmillan and Co.

Discusses Protestant polemicist Robert Crowley's 1550 publication of 'The Vision of Piers Plowman,' a Middle English allegorical dream vision in alliterative verse that had been written in the 1370s by William Langland. Crowley's task of presenting the work in such a light that the mid-Tudor reading public could profit from its moral instruction despite the obscurities of language and meter; Printing of vernacular medieval literary texts in England during the period.

Focuses on Walter Scott's role in transatlantic book history. Issues relating to the reprinting of Scott's novels and poetry in the United States during the 19th century; Shaping the practices of publishing and reading in 19th century America; Relationship between the collected Waverley novels and antebellum reading practices; Popularity of Scott's novels in Richmond, Virginia.

Discusses a letter written by the 18th-century English author Charlotte Smith to her publisher, Thomas Cadell. Smith's description of her plans for 'The Exile,' later published by Cadell as 'The Banished Man'; Complaints about treatment received from the publishers Robinson and Bell; Account given of the war wound of her son; Ways in which the last months of 1793 were especially traumatic for Smith; Ways in which the letter must have at least partly succeeded in re-establishing ties between Smith and Cadell.

Studies the history of book publishing in early 16th century Venice, Italy. Dominant publishers during the Renaissance period; Publishing practices; Copying among book publishers; Characteristics of published books; Collaborations with printers.

Focuses on the modern study of the early printed heritage. Expansion of bibliographical material; Patterns of publishing; Bibliographical databases; Links between printers and illuminators; Characteristics of early printing in England; Establishment and maintenance of catalog systems.

Focuses on the the book `The Works of Virgil,' by John Dryden, published by Jacob Tonson in 1697. Details on the signing of a subscription translation on June 15, 1694 by Dryden and Tonson; Discussion on the disagreement between Dryden and Tonson relating to the interpretation of the division of money from the second subscribers; Information on small paper copies of the book.

Examines the origins of the relationship between the author Walter Scott and the Edinburgh, Scotland-based printing firm James Ballantyne and Company. Establishment of Ballantyne's operations as a printer; How Scott ventured into authorship; Historical data on Scott's relationship with the printing firm; Discussion on relations between the two.

Investigates the the major publishing house changes which took place during the nineteenth century. Other highlights of the investigation; Claims made by Richard Hengist Horne, a poet in 1833; History of the House of Murray, founded by John Murray; Establishment of the Milton connection; Details on Murrays' rates of payment; Information on John Murray's descendants.

The article discusses the Bibliographical Society of America's 2015 fellowship program, including the Katharine Pantzer Senior Fellowship in Bibliography and the British Book Trades, the Charles J. Tanenbaum Fellowship in Cartographical Bibliography and the Folter Fellowship in the History of Bibliography. Fellowship topics, including the history of book production, publication, reading, collecting and distribution, are discussed.