Wendelinus de Spira

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Wendelinus de Spira (* in Speyer ; † 1477 , also known as Wendelin von Speyer ) was an early book printer in Venice.

Career

Spira came from Speyer, his family name is unknown. In 1470 he took over the printing workshop of his late brother Johannes de Spira and completed the work De civitate dei von Augustine . In the closing letter he announced the sudden death of his brother. He had probably worked in the printing shop from the beginning, but could not transfer the privilege granted by his brother in 1469 to his name.

In 1470 Wendelinus published nine works, in the following year only five prints and in 1472 13 works. Since the publishing house had lost its monopoly, only three works could be brought onto the market in 1473, two in 1474 and two in 1476 and 1477 due to increasing competition. Then the first printing house in the Republic of Venice went out of business. There was particular competition in Nicolas Jenson's workshop , in which John's heirs were involved.

production

Spira mainly printed the works of classical writers. In 1471 the Bible was printed in Italian in translation by Niccolò Malermi . Wendelin used his brother's strong antiqua as the typeface .

Works printed by Spira (selection)

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ GW 2877
  2. ^ GW 1964
personal data
SURNAME Spira, Wendelinus de
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Wendelin, from Speyer
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Book printer in Venice
DATE OF BIRTH 15th century
PLACE OF BIRTH Speyer
DATE OF DEATH 1477