European Blockbooks: Print-on-Demand in the 15th Century

Blockbooks were highly illustrated books produced entirely from woodcuts. Produced in the Netherlands and Rhineland Germany in the 1460s–70s, they were cheap and quick to print—perhaps the first print-on-demand books in the western hemisphere—but their popularity was short-lived. Based upon the collections of the Morgan Library & Museum, John T. McQuillen, Associate Curator of Printed Books & Bindings will present an introduction to the European blockbook, its history and production, and delve into the provenance of several of the copies in the Morgan's collection.

Please note that the program will take place online. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to participate using Zoom. We ask that you download the app in advance for the best user experience.