Incunabula [ELIS Classic]

The word “incunabula” derives from the Latin word meaning “cradle.” Incunabula are books from the “cradle” of modern printing, that is, those printed with movable metal type in the fifty years from the invention of movable type to January 1, 1501. These books are the focus of special interest in the study of the history of books, and are designated with this special term. The development of printing during those years, and the search for, discovery, and analysis of books printed during that period are discussed in this entry.—ELIS Classic, from 1974