The times., 1900-12-23
BOOK PRINTER PLAN1IN
His Ancient Museum Still Existing
in Antwerp.
Relics of Work Done in the Fif-
tcenth Century-Thc Royui Poly
the Lovers of Old Tornes-Hccords
of Great NnIuc-Fnmous Publisher.


town in which it is located. 1t is the on
ly old printing office in existence. Ii
was bought by The city of Antwerp in
1876. from the last member of the foun-
der's family, for 10000 francs. II is the
least imposing Of Antwerp's public build
ings, giving no hint from the outside Of
the treasures that are to be seen within.
Over the door is little tablet, bearing
the device of Plantin. the founder of the
house. Ii is a hand emerging from clouds
holding an open compass which is encir-
cling Plantin's trademark Lahore ct
Constantia labor and patience. II is
an appropriate motto for its user.
Plantin was born in 1914 in France,
where he learned and also taught print
ing and bookbinding. II 1913 he moved
to Antwerp with his family where in
time he gained a reputation of being a
skillful decorator. One night he was
mistaken by a rufIian for another man
and was stabbed, and was foveyer disa-
bled from working at his trade. In 1895
he had established printing office, but
at that time the conflict between the
press, the state, and the church was
sharp and bitter. Plantin was accused
of printing heretieal books and was
obliged to fee to Paris. Returning
twenty months later he found his office
had been destroyed and even his house
hold goods sold at auction. Fortunately
he secured the aid of some wealthy men
ana began again. In four years he had
the largest Office in the world and had
printed over 200 different books.
At Plantin's Office was printed what was
then the largest volume in the world, and
which is even now regarded by modern
printers as a great achievement, the Royal
Polyglot Bible, in eight folio parts aD4 con-
tanning parallel texts in Latin, Gree, He
brew. and Chaldee. besides numerous
beautiful Illustrations from copper. This
book was the ruin OF Plantin. The King
Of Spain promised to help him, but failed
TO dc as much as he had agreed Besides
this the work was a great deal more ex-
pensive than Plantin had figured 1t wculd
be. The King would not allow the sale
of the Polyglot until the Pope had given
his consent. This the Pope refused 10 do,
but he died soon after and his successor
granted the desired permission. Then the
book was denounced as heretical and the
Inquisitior proceeded to forbid its sale
until Ii had been examined which took
some seven years. Meanwhile Plantin had
been obliged to mortgage about all he own
after this when his fortunes had mended
somewhat, the Kings soldiers revolted be-
cause they were not paid. and Plantin was
obliged 10 pay ransom nine different times
10 save his office from destruction. Soon
after he went TO Leyden where he stayed
short tine, but again returned TO Antwerp,
which hsd in the meantime suffered from
political changes and was no longer the
rich and prosperous city of old
ssr,Fr 40, tie fr,1 1orr~
tinued the business. which in 1886 was the
foremost in the world. Then its decline
began, and in 1867 it ceased to do further
business. The Office was fast going to de-
cay. Its dissolution seemed inevitable and
It would probably have been sold piecemeal
TO brie-a-brac collectors had not some
citizens OF Antwerp saved
1t, and finally induced the city 10 buy it
and preserve it for museum.
As it stands now the office is not as
Plantin left It, His successors made some
changes. but the final task Of re-arrang-
Ing the house as museum was done with
excellent taste. Type, presses. and furni-
ture are all in their proper places, seem
ingly Just as they were left by the old
time printers. The tools and implements
of daily use surround one. just they did
the original occupants some 300 years
ago Some OF the rooms are hung with
house. his wife. family. and friends.
Beautiful tapestries and antique furniture
Rdorn the other apartments, for Plantin
was more than a mere printer: be was
an artist snd surrounded himself with |
beautiful examples of the work OF his day.
In showcases in some of the rooms are |
exhibited examples of Plantin's work, and !
that of his engravers.
Facing on side street are the shops |
Q sIa
still filled with rare and curious volumes.
On the walls are posted lists of prohibit
ed books. and laws regarding the sale of
books, products OF the Plantin Office In
the corner is the chair in which the shop
boy sat, and announced the advent of
customers TO Plantin's daughters. who |
kept the store. Then there is the room !
for the correctors of the press, and on the
walls portraits OF the dignifed and
scholarly men who printed there, and for
wages that seem to US ridiculously small,
sometimes as little as two or three forms
a volume.
The printing room is beyond. with its
row of seven rude handpresses, and type
cases and stands occupying the remainder
of the space. To the modern printer il
seems impossible that from this meagre
equipment such an array of beautiful
books could be produced. Yet some Of
Of printing and engraving. and far surpass
Bome more modern examples Besides the
office there are two rooms where
the type was nodded. Plantin was ac-
cuetomed TO pay the best engravers TO
cut the molds for his types, which his
workmen nodded. Here are exhibited
the kettles and tools used by them From
an artistic point of view fl is doubtful if
the work Of these early designers Of type.
will ever be equaled; in fact. most OF The |
popular styles Of type of the present day
are copied from these old designs
But one Of the most interesting rooms
in the museum for the book lover IS the
library Planun's own library OF over
fourteen thousand volumes contains hun
dreds that are among the rarest known 10 |
bibliomaniscs. And besides the printed |
books. which contain among others the
Bible which was Gutenburg's greatest
work. there are preserved the record |
books, account books and much of the |
OF Plantin himself The
more valuable and interesting OF these |
papers have been edited and published by |
the direction of the museum.
These records are of especial interest. !
Rich as the museum Is in relics of the do |
nestle life of the times. these records |
give an account OF Plantin's life that
could never otherwise have been nbfs IN
ed. He was evidently a most methodical |
man. and in these records are found HIS
with artists, scholars,
and authors his weekly bills OF workmen,
his inventories, and other business pa
pers; his letters 20 the King Of spain, urg-
ing that worthy 10 pay his bills; his bills
from type founders and engrayers: his ap-
pcals to money lenders and booksellers |
who wanted too much discount; his deal
'ngs with authors and editors. and other |
documents
Books In those days were sold at what |
seems now pitifuily low prices. but the |
cost CT manufacture was in proportion.