Günther Zainer (or Zeyner or Zeiner) (died 1 October 1478) was the first printer in Augsburg, where he worked from 1468 until his death; he produced about 80 books including two German editions of the Bible and the first printed calendar. He came to Augsburg from Strassburg and printed in 1472–76 three large works of moral instruction. He also printed the first large illustrated book, Jacobus de Voragine's Legenda aurea in 2 volumes with 131 woodcuts, 1471–76. Johann Zainer, the first printer in Ulm, was probably his brother.[1]
Initial from the German Bible, printed by Zainer in Augsburg in 1477
Günther Zainer was related to Johann Zainer, a printer at Ulm, perhaps his brother. In 1463 he married Agnes Krieg at Straßburg and was a painter and goldsmith in that town. He probably learnt to print from Johannes Mentelin. In 1468 he began to print in Augsburg. In 1472 he was a burger of Augsburg. Zainer was one of the printers of the new printing shop in the Augsburg St. Ulrich's and St. Afra's Abbey.
Works
Earliest printed example of a classical T and O map (by Günther Zainer, Augsburg, 1472), illustrating the first page of chapter XIV of the Etymologiae of Isidore of Seville (it shows the continents as domains of the sons of Noah: Sem (Shem), Iafeth (Japheth) and Cham (Ham)).
Early woodcut print of a saint kneeling before three women by Zainer, circa 1473.
About 80 books are known to have been printed by Zainer, of which most were for the use of the clergy. Zainer also printed popular literature in German, works on building and medicine and calendars.
Günther Zainer’s printing was of high quality, as to paper, presswork and typefaces: 32 illustrated books and broadsides with altogether 100 illustrations testify to his interest in decoration. His first German Bible is decorated with 73 ornamental initials.
References
^Steinberg, S. H. (1961) Five Hundred Years of Printing; 2nd ed. Penguin Books; pp. 53-56
^Marianne E. Kalinke, The Book of Reykjahólar: The Last of the Great Medieval Legendaries (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1996), p. 4.
Bibliography
Falkenstein, Karl: Geschichte der Buchdruckerkunst in ihrer Entstehung und Ausbildung. Leipzig 1840; p. 157
Funke, Fritz: Buchkunde. München-Pullach 1969; pp. 86; 164; 226; 228
15th Century Digital Materials from the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection at the Library of Congress. Scroll through the collection to see 28 works by Zainer.
January 31, 2023
günther, zainer, zeyner, zeiner, died, october, 1478, first, printer, augsburg, where, worked, from, 1468, until, death, produced, about, books, including, german, editions, bible, first, printed, calendar, came, augsburg, from, strassburg, printed, 1472, thre. Gunther Zainer or Zeyner or Zeiner died 1 October 1478 was the first printer in Augsburg where he worked from 1468 until his death he produced about 80 books including two German editions of the Bible and the first printed calendar He came to Augsburg from Strassburg and printed in 1472 76 three large works of moral instruction He also printed the first large illustrated book Jacobus de Voragine s Legenda aurea in 2 volumes with 131 woodcuts 1471 76 Johann Zainer the first printer in Ulm was probably his brother 1 Initial from the German Bible printed by Zainer in Augsburg in 1477 Printed list of works printed by Zainer ca 1480 Contents 1 Life 2 Works 3 References 4 Bibliography 5 External linksLife EditGunther Zainer was related to Johann Zainer a printer at Ulm perhaps his brother In 1463 he married Agnes Krieg at Strassburg and was a painter and goldsmith in that town He probably learnt to print from Johannes Mentelin In 1468 he began to print in Augsburg In 1472 he was a burger of Augsburg Zainer was one of the printers of the new printing shop in the Augsburg St Ulrich s and St Afra s Abbey Works Edit Earliest printed example of a classical T and O map by Gunther Zainer Augsburg 1472 illustrating the first page of chapter XIV of the Etymologiae of Isidore of Seville it shows the continents as domains of the sons of Noah Sem Shem Iafeth Japheth and Cham Ham Early woodcut print of a saint kneeling before three women by Zainer circa 1473 About 80 books are known to have been printed by Zainer of which most were for the use of the clergy Zainer also printed popular literature in German works on building and medicine and calendars In 1468 Meditationes vitae domini was the first book he is known to have printed The German edition of the Legenda Aurea of Jacobus de Voragine was the first illustrated book he printed In 1471 72 Zainer made the first printed edition of the extremely popular Der Heiligen Leben 2 In 1472 appeared the Etymologiae of Isidore of Seville About 1475 he printed a German edition of the Bible with a second edition in 1477 Gunther Zainer s printing was of high quality as to paper presswork and typefaces 32 illustrated books and broadsides with altogether 100 illustrations testify to his interest in decoration His first German Bible is decorated with 73 ornamental initials References Edit Steinberg S H 1961 Five Hundred Years of Printing 2nd ed Penguin Books pp 53 56 Marianne E Kalinke The Book of Reykjaholar The Last of the Great Medieval Legendaries Toronto University of Toronto Press 1996 p 4 Bibliography EditFalkenstein Karl Geschichte der Buchdruckerkunst in ihrer Entstehung und Ausbildung Leipzig 1840 p 157 Funke Fritz Buchkunde Munchen Pullach 1969 pp 86 164 226 228External links EditGunther Zainer in the German National Library catalogue Liber margarita Dauitica seu Expositio Psalmorum Augsburg G Zainer 1475 digital version 15th Century Digital Materials from the Lessing J Rosenwald Collection at the Library of Congress Scroll through the collection to see 28 works by Zainer Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gunther Zainer amp oldid 1056459900, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
