PUBLISHING AS A COTERIE ENTERPRISE: ZHANG CHAO AND THE MAKING OF PRINTED TEXTS IN EARLY QING CHINA.

The article explores the history of publishing and printing in China during the early Qing era. Emphasis is given to the how the social role of the print medium was appropriates by the early Qing literati to position themselves within an economy of cultural influence and elite social prestige. The author focuses on publisher Zhang Chao and the communal production and circulation of manuscripts among elite social networks. The benefits of exclusivity to the reputation and market value of Zhang Chao's printed books are noted.