Organisers: PD Dr. Thomas Wallnig and Dr. Mona Garloff (Austrian Society for Eighteenth Century Studies (OGE18) / University of Vienna)
Venue: University of Vienna, Department of History
This workshop is dedicated to the history of the book trade in the Habsburg Monarchy in the late 17th and 18th centuries. In book history, the middle of the 18th century is regarded as a turning point: Here, the modern book trade is considered to have begun, setting it apart from the developments in previous centuries. It is worthwhile to place the establishment of the (modern) major publishing house, as it occurred since the 1680s, in the context of the history of the book trade in the later 18th century. Frequently, the changes in the second half of the 18th century are examined in their repercussions on the book trade with a focus on the Leipzig Fair, which places too much emphasis on the central German, Protestant, Enlightenment-oriented production of literature. We will try to understand, instead, the entelechy of the predominantly Catholic book production, which centers on the South and Southeast of the Holy Roman Empire. Long before Johann Thomas Trattner, Catholic publishers had already perfected the reprinting process of books, and this was taken on board by Protestant publishing houses, as well. For an appropriate evaluation of the book market, it is necessary to move away from the exclusive focus on the body of Enlightenment literature, and take the entire offer of publications into account, including the large print runs of prayer and devotional books, sermons, advice books, folkloristic works and calendars, as well. The importance of the reform policies of Maria Theresia for the book trade in the 18th century must be considered as a continuation of reform attempts in earlier decades, such as the economic policy for the direction of trade, or efforts to unify censorship. It also makes sense to take a broader, inter-generational perspective on the establishment of publishing dynasties, examining them not only after 1750, but from the point of their foundation around the beginning of the century. In this context, it is also worth exploring the long-term integration of foreign traders in the respective city markets.
This workshop intends to extend research into book history from the previous focus on nation-states to a cross-regional analysis of commercial structures, book markets, and their actors as well as the customers. We are also interested in connecting the history of the book trade in the various territories of the Habsburg Monarchy with each other, taking a closer look at connections (and differences) between distribution networks, the setting up of stores, sales practices and markets, as well as a comparison of the books on offer.
Our workshop will provide a framework for discussing the continuities and upheavals in book history since the late 17th century, emphasizing the connection to developments in the second half of the 18th century. Key topics include: actors in the book trade of the Habsburg Monarchy (inter-generational company history, historical gender perspectives, the changing roles of the book trader), distribution networks in the regional and long-distance trade, official markets and secondary distribution channels (book peddling, private auctions), perspectives from individual institutions and economic history (governmental directing of the book trade, censorship policy), customer acquisition and advertising, library history and book ownership, categories of the book market and reading habits.
We especially encourage papers relating to librarian and archivist work and current MA and PhD projects. Our workshop will enable an interdisciplinary exchange between History, Literary and Book Studies, bringing different methodical approaches together (research on material culture, spatial history, digital history, etc.). The idea behind our event is to provide an interdisciplinary, international networking platform for a long-term working group on the book trade in the 18th century.
Current program: Beginning on Thursday, 26th November noon, until Friday, 27th November afternoon. Following this, on the evening of 27th November, the “Day of the 18th Century” will take place, organized by the Austrian Society for Eighteenth Century Studies (OGE18).
We can offer partial compensation for travel and hotel expenses, if they cannot be covered by the presenter’s home institution. Please send your abstracts (English or German, 1.500 characters) to PD Dr. Thomas Wallnig (thomas.wallnig@univie.ac.at) by 15th May.
[Photo: Shopping at the Temple of the Muses in a print by Rudolph Ackermann from 1809. (BL Maps K.Top.27.21.b.), from http://www.templeofthemuses.org/?page_id=46]
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