The Officina Plantiniana as publishers and distributors of music, 1578–1600

The Officina Plantiniana, a renowned publishing house in Antwerp, played a pivotal role in the distribution of printed music during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, despite producing only a small amount of music itself. Analysis of Plantin's sales journals from 1578 to 1600 reveals that its network extended across Europe, reaching German-speaking lands via the Frankfurt book fair, England across the North Sea, and into the Spanish empire through political connections. This study highlights the geographical spread of Plantin's musical clients and identifies the most popular genres, while also examining the commercial relationships between Plantin, his customers, and other music publishers at the Frankfurt book fair. The prices charged for each edition provide insights into wholesale and retail dynamics, shedding light on the relative value of different musical genres and profit margins.

Hunter-Bradley, L. (2021). The Officina Plantiniana as publishers and distributors of music, 1578–1600. Early Printed Music and Material Culture in Central and Western Europe, 280–302. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429342844-19