In the mind of a publisher. Establishing the price of emblem books in Antwerp in the sixteenth century

Christopher Plantin's pricing strategy for emblem books in 16th-century Antwerp was influenced by multiple factors, including production costs, illustration techniques (woodcuts vs. copper engravings), and market conditions. Analysis of Plantin's business records, such as the Master Ledger (1563–1567) and manuscript m 296—containing over 20,000 European book titles with prices—revealed that he carefully balanced these elements to determine break-even points. Additionally, his press's reputation and broader economic conditions played a significant role in shaping his pricing decisions.

Milazzo, R. (2021). In the mind of a publisher. Establishing the price of emblem books in Antwerp in the sixteenth century. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.4628957