Language is what makes us human. Writing or script is its visual representation, language frozen in time. The book is simply the medium carrying that script – initially the stone walls of our ancestor’s caves, later more portable objects – strips of bark, tablets of clay – still later scrolls of papyrus, parchment, or paper, followed in turn by the codex, which reigned supreme for nearly two millennia but which is now increasingly giving way to the computer and the internet.
I’m interested in books of every type that have a specific story to tell as part of the long progression from cave painting to cuneiform tablet to papyrus scroll to medieval codex to Kindle, and I'm dedicated to putting unique digital content - photos and analysis - related to this online via my Twitter account @incunabula. Above all, I'm interested in widening the definition of writing and of the book beyond the usual Western-centric parameters, and embracing the astonishing diversity of the Global Book by giving the written cultures of Asia, Australia, Africa and the indigenous Americas their due too.
This forum has grown out of this effort. The Incunabula Forum is an online meeting place for bibliophiles, book collectors, rare book sellers, librarians, curators and scholars - anyone with a personal or professional interest in the broad world of rare books and manuscripts. If you study, research, collect, sell, or admire rare books, you're welcome here.
Anyone can read the forum, but to post and join the conversation requires registration, which is straightforward and quick. We have faith in the intelligence, civility and courtesy of our members, and the forum is only lightly moderated. Trolls of any type though will be dealt with ruthlessly and without recourse to appeal. As a courtesy to the other members, we ask you to pay attention to correct spelling and grammar when you post - although allowances will always be made if English is not your first language.
This forum will never charge for membership, it will never carry paid advertising, and we do not, and will never, sell your data.
Welcome
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Notes from the Scriptorium
Notes and updates from the forum admin.
2 11 Welcome to the Incunabula Forum by Jean Simon Duchattel -
The Entrance Hall
New members - please briefly introduce yourself here before posting elsewhere.
50 135 Hello by konstantinopel
The World of Rare Books
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The Newsstand
General news & announcements from the world of books.
2 2 Ets Haim turns 405... by Incunabula -
General Rare Book Discussion
If your topic doesn't seem to fit in elsewhere, choose this category. Admin will move your post to a more appropriate category if necessary.
27 85 4 books in a box? by Twinbrow
Curating, Teaching & Researching
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The Academy
News, comment and scholarly announcements from the academic world.
3 7 New book on German colour printmaking to 1600 - DISCOUNT CODE by ElizabethSavage -
The Institutional Library
News, views and issues relating to Special Collections at national and university libraries, and to rare book librarianship.
5 10 Provenance and Print Projects by CryptClerk
Collecting
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The Private Library
Private collectors post here.
What the hell was I thinking? 13 116 The Private Library book by Tassilo Schweiger
Selling
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The Bookshop
The trade. If you're a rare book dealer, and a member of a recognized booksellers' federation (ABA, PBFA, ABAA, ANZAAB, IOBA, SLAM, ILAB or similar) post your new catalogues, pricelists, trade-fair announcements and other offers here.
24 43 A rare book....Burmese or Hindi, or...? by DADAS4ACES -
The Gavel
News and announcements from the world of rare books auctions goes here.
Historic auction catalogues 4 10 Martin Schøyen auction catalogues by Deborah
Talking
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The Coffee House
The place for all - interesting - non book-related discussions.
3 13 Anti-Semitism by Academics on Twitter by Jean Simon Duchattel