What is incunabulum?

Incunabulum is a term used to describe books printed before the year 1501, during the early days of printing technology. The word “incunabulum” comes from the Latin for “cradle,” reflecting the idea that the printed book was born during this period.

During the incunabulum period, books were printed using movable type, which allowed for the rapid production of large numbers of copies. However, the printing process was still quite labor-intensive, and most books were still printed on handmade paper.

Despite the challenges of early book printing, the incunabulum period saw the production of numerous important works, including religious texts, classics of literature, and scientific treatises. These works were often richly illustrated with woodcuts and other graphic elements.

Today, incunabula are highly sought after by collectors and scholars alike. The fragility of early printed books means that surviving examples are relatively rare, and their historical significance means that they command significant prices at auction.