Adam Matthew Digital publishes The Stationers’ Company Archive, 1554-2007

A cultural revolution: Over four hundred years on the history of printing, publishing and bookselling digitised

Marlborough, UK. Literary Print Culture, the latest primary source collection from Adam Matthew Digital, makes available The Stationers’ Company Archive with material from 1554 to the 21^st Century.

Widely regarded as one of the most important sources for the history of the book, publishing and copyright, the archive of The Worshipful Company of Stationers & Newspaper Makers is now available for unparalleled research.

Formed in London in 1403, The Stationers’ Company was instrumental in the development of the printed book in England, exerting enormous power over the publishing industry as it developed in the early modern period. In the late 15^th century, the company was granted immense power by Royal Charter to control this nascent industry, leading onto the development of ‘copyright’.

‘Digital access opens up exciting new possibilities for research. This resource will help a far wider community to understand how The Stationers’ Company has contributed to English cultural life over the last five centuries.’- William Alden MBE DL, Clerk, The Stationers’ Company

Students and scholars of English literature, Renaissance theatre, and print culture from the early modern period to the twentieth century now have access to a comprehensive view of this enormously influential organisation.

View the Entry Book of Copies (1554-1842) containing records of all printed works registered in England, including Shakespeare’s First Folio, entered on 8^th November 1623. Read court and membership records documenting the workings of The Stationers’ Company and the publishing community, and relive the activities of The English Stock Company, the publishing arm holding a monopoly over popular published works.

‘The Stationers’ Company Archive is vitally important for the study of the history of the book in Britain. This digital archive is indispensable.’- Dr Giles Bergel, University of Oxford

To find out more or to request a free 30-day trial of Literary Print Culture, visit www.amdigital.co.uk, contact info@amdigital.co.uk or watch the documentary video, filmed within the Stationers’ Company.

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Adam Matthew Digital, an imprint of SAGE Publishing, is an award-winning publisher of digital primary source collections for the humanities and social sciences. Sourced from leading libraries and archives around the world, their unique research and teaching collections cover a wide range of subject areas from medieval family life to twentieth century history, literature and culture. Their aim is to enhance learning environments, and aid scholarly research by making important primary sources available to a global audience. http://www.amdigital.co.uk 

The Stationers' Company is the City of London Livery Company for the communications and content industries. The company’s mission is to be the most effective independent forum in the UK communications and content industries, actively contributing to the strategic development, success and education of these industries. The majority of our members work in or supply the paper, print, publishing, packaging, office products, newspaper, broadcasting and online media industries. https://stationers.org