Archive: Elzevier Feature

If one was to ask a bibliophile to name the ten greatest printers in the history of book production the following names would appear: Aldus, Gutenberg, Estienne, Plantin and Elzevier.

The Dutch family of Elzevier (also seen as Elzevir and Elsevier) were the foremost printers of their time, both because of the variety and the number of books which they produced. Louis Elzevier, the founder, produced his first book in Leiden in 1583. According to Willems, the definitive biographer of the Elzevier dynasty, the date of the last publication was 1770. But without a doubt the 'golden age' of Elzevier printing was between 1620 and 1680.

The success of the Elzevier family was founded on sound business principles and the production of small format books. But their texts were well edited and wide ranging and they brought book ownership to a wide clientele far removed from the usual Scholar/Theologian strata of Society.

The Elzeviers, businessmen to the core, sold books by every possible means - at Book Fairs where they "piled them high and sold them cheap", through book shops, at Auctions, and even by a brokerage service (where they also represented other publishers).

The attractions of collecting Elzeviers are numerous - they are delightful volumes, there are a lot of them - over 2000 titles, they cover many subjects, they are uncommon, and yet it is still possible to purchase these books - over 300 years old - for between £75 and £200. But then I am an enthusiast, like the innkeeper who drinks his own wares, I collect Elzeviers in addition to selling them

Barrie Kaye

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Last Modified: 30 October 2000