Introduction to analytical bibliography (2002) - Neil Harris

This course offers a practical introduction to the examination of printed artifacts of the hand-press period, with emphasis on Venetian Renaissance printing, including that of Aldus Manutius. Topics includes: concepts and definitions; history of the theory and practice of analytical bibliography; technical and organisational aspects of early printing shops; structures and conventions affecting the making of books; bibliographical description and collational formulae; practical case studies and bibliographical puzzles. The course will be taught in French, but precise notions will be imparted about the language and technical vocabulary of the Anglo-American tradition, as well as an introduction to the algebra of writing collational formulae.