The Mathematical Book Trade in the Early Modern World

The Mathematical Book Trade in the Early Modern World

Thursday 19 December 2019 - 10.00 to Friday 20 December 2019 - 17.00
All Souls College, Oxford

Mathematical books were a distinct specialism for certain early modern print shops, and they were of special interest to certain readers and institutions. Mathematical tables, geometrical diagrams and the new algebraic notation made for a distinct appearance on the page and, for many of those involved in their production and use, a distinct class of book. Primers, textbooks and practical manuals as well as new editions of the mathematical classics and works containing new mathematics issued from the presses in large numbers and were purchased, collected, used, and in many cases re-sold, sometimes repeatedly. In what ways was the advertisement, sale and subsequent re-circulation of mathematical books distinct? What was the place of mathematical books in the activity of book collectors and connoisseurs? Were there distinctive issues in respect of pricing or of re-use of mathematical print? How did the actual use of mathematical books relate to the stratification of the market atttempted by some producers and sellers of those books? These issues are the subject of this two-day workshop, to be held in All Souls College, Oxford.

Confirmed speakers: Philip Beeley, Elizabeth Biggs, Agnes Gehbald, Stefano Gulizia, Boris Jardine, Matthew Landrus, Ian Maclean, Yelda Nasifoglu, Renae Satterley, Tabitha Tuckett, Nick Wilding.

A provisional programme is available for download from www.benjaminwardhaugh.co.uk/workshops/index.html

Places are available for observers; there is no fee for attendance but there is a charge for the dinner. Unfortunately accommodation cannot be provided for observers. To reserve a place, or for any enquiries, please contact benjamin.wardhaugh@all-souls.ox.ac.uk

There will be a public lecture, open to all, associated with this conference at 5pm on Thursday 19 December