Letter addressed to Mr. Christiancey - Page 2 (March 10, 1881) by Manuel de Odriozola and Ricardo PalmaNational Library of Peru
The arrival of the printing press in the Americas following colonization marked a significant turning point. In Peru, this led to the establishment of a printing tradition, with early examples of these publicatio
What printing methods were used?
In the European Middle Ages, few could read. Handwritten texts, copied by calligraphers, were rare and took years to create. Knowledge was thus restricted to a privileged few. Gutenberg's 1440 invention of a new printing system changed this.
[Engraving by Johannes Gutenberg] (1897) by Unknown engraver and Carlos Prince, autorNational Library of Peru
The method consists of using movable metal types or letters. These were aligned on a base, ink was applied to them, and by applying pressure with a press the paper was printed. This method made the process of reproducing books faster and easier.
How and when did the printing press appear in Peru?
The first printing press arrived at the port of Callao by ship around 1581, brought by the Italian Antonio Ricardo, who arrived from New Spain, today Mexico. He settled in Lima, at the Colegio de la Compañía de Jesús, under the auspices of the Jesuit order.
The printing ban in Lima lasted until 1584.
Printing in colonial Peru initially lacked royal authorization. Lima's first printing press remained idle until 1584, when permission was finally granted. This breakthrough followed petitions to King Philip II
Annotation by Ricardo Palma in the book Christian doctrine, and catechism for the instruction of the Indians...National Library of Peru
The first Peruvian incunabulum
What are incunabula?
This is the name given to the first books printed by the movable type printing press: it comes from the Latin incunabula, which means cradle.
Confessionary for Indian priests. With the instruction against its rites and exhortation to help one die well: and summa of its privileges: and form of impediments to marriage [book cover] (1585) by Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Lima. Provincial CouncilNational Library of Peru
Christian Doctrine and catechism for the instruction of the Indians, and of other people who must be taught in our holy Faith [book cover] (1584) by Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Lima. Provincial Council and José de AcostaNational Library of Peru
Peruvian incunabula
Peruvian incunabula are books printed in the Viceroyalty between 1584 and 1619 by Antonio Ricardo and Francisco del Canto. The first of these was Doctrina Christiana, a catechism translated into Quechua and Aymara to aid evangelization efforts in South America.
Report of the funeral of the exmo. Mr. D. Iuan de Mendoça and Luna Marques de Montesclaros Virrei del Piru did on the death of Queen Our S. Doña Margarita [book cover] (1612) by Francisco Bejarano, engraverNational Library of Peru
The art of printing
New types of text, like italics and cursive, came from Europe in the next few decades. These were used later on to make books look more stylish.
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