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2008 marks
the 500th anniversary of an auspicious year in the history
of Scottish books. On 4 April 1508, printing
began in Scotland, when Walter Chepman, an Edinburgh
merchant, and Androw Myllar, a bookseller, printed John
Lydgate’s poem, The Complaint of the Black
Knight on the press they had set up in what is
now Edinburgh’s Cowgate.
The Centre
for the History of the Book hosted the quincentenary
dinner in the Playfair Library Hall on April 4th.
The worlds of publishing and printing, scholarship,
and librarianship were well represented. The evening
began with a drinks reception in the Raeburn Room followed
by dinner in the Playfair Library. Professor Peter
Garside welcomed attendees on behalf of the CHB, providing
something of the history of the building and remarking
on the important scholarship presently being undertaken
at the CHB on the history of the book in Scotland.
The after dinner speech was delivered
by Magnus Linklater, journalist and former editor of
The Scotsman, who spoke about the changes in
the technology of newspaper production during his lifetime,
from hot metal to modern highspeed offset litho.
He was aided by one of the two keepsakes generously
provided to guests. Harry McIntosh, of the Chepman
& Myllar Press in Edinburgh, printed extracts from
'The Complaint of the Black Knight' on handmade paper
in Scotch Roman type. John Easson, of the Quarto Press
in Coupar Angus, produced a Ludlow 'slug', with the
text 'Androw Myllar 4th April 1508' in a gothic typeface.
The latter was flourished by Magnus Linklater as he
spoke of the sometimes conflicting priorities of the
printers and the journalists in preparing the type as
the print deadlines came closer. Simon Fairclough, Director
of Scottish Print Employers Federation, gave the vote
of thanks.
A range of
local events across Scotland throughout the year is
planned. The initiative is promoted by the
National Library of Scotland, the Scottish Printing
Archival Trust and the Scottish Print Employers' Federation
and endorsed by the Scottish Government.
For further
information about events relating to the celebrations,
please visit the 500
Years web site.
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