Under british law, no person was to keep any printingpress for printing, nor was any book. And while in the early days of the settlement most books had to be imported from london, it was not long before americas first printing press. Dime novels, which attracted many new readers in the 1800s, are important to the history of book publishing in america because. Indeed, the very first book printed in the englishspeaking colonies was a book of sacred music. Library of congress showcases first book printed in u. The theme of american colonies is enslavement, expansion, exploitation and. The book was printed in 1640 by stephen daye, a locksmith in cambridge.
One of the eleven existing copies of this work is on display as americas first book in the library of congress. The colonies grew both geographically and numerically from the time of their founding to the american revolution 177581. It was first printed in 1640 by stephen daye, the first printer of the massachusetts bay colony, in cambridge, massachusetts. He was a man of science, letters and virtue, becoming an abolitionist later in life. Mar 18, 2019 the earliest dated printed book known is diamond sutra, printed in china in 868 ce. The design and production of this book understandably lacked refinement. The bay psalm book was printed just 20 years after the pilgrims arrival and remained in use for well over a century. Charles wesleys hymn had to wait fiftyfive years for its first american printing, and johns hymnal was quickly forgotten. The bay psalm book, as it is known, is essentially sacred text to be sung during the liturgy. Aug 17, 2016 this facsimile of a rare first edition includes a companion volume, the enigma of the bay psalm book, which provides an academic study of the psalters history and contents. Stephen daye issues the bay psalm book, the first book. Hebrew, was the work of several men who represented the greatest minds of colonial new england at the time, including john cotton, richard mather, and john eliot. First bible printed in america in english language.
The first book printed in the new printing press was the bible. Both books are presented in a single hardcover volume. Back then, printing was limited in the number of editions made and nearly exclusively decorative, used for. American colonies, the british colonies that were established during the 17th and early 18th centuries in the area that is now a part of the eastern united states.
In spite of strong censorship and a stamp tax on newspapers and advertising, printing grew steadily in the colonies. To suggest entries or corrections, please contact the editor. Consequently, daye must have printed pierces almanac prior to the english first of the year that began on march 15. The styles of the three major typefaces had been formalized to the point at which little other than refinement remained to be added to them. The bay psalm book, printed just twenty years after the pilgrims arrival. The english colonists on the american continent had to import bibles published by these royallylicensed printers, since the royal privilege was never granted to a colonial printer. This facsimile of the rare original edition includes a companion volume, the enigma of the bay psalm book, which offers an academic study of the psalters history and contents. It was the first book ever printed on american soil, twenty years after the pilgrims landed on the mayflower. The ministers of the small colony were eager to produce their own version of the psalms, one that did. Americas hesitation over hymns christian history magazine. Because the printers were not trained typographers, the book is rife with typos, plagued with spacing errors, and crudely laid. The decision to print a book of psalms metered for singing may seem an odd choice as the first book to be printed by the settlers of massachusetts bay, but this modest book served the larger purpose of the colonyto live within the reformed church.
The bay psalm book the first book printed in america. However, it is suspected that book printing may have occurred long before this date. This book, with which the pilgrims literally sang their praises to god. However, portions of biblical text were printed in the colonies. The first hundred years of printing in british north america. The british museums copy of the aitken bible bears aitkens autograph memorandum, this first copy of the first edition of the bible ever printed in america in the english. The first book printed in british north america and a churchs. This data, provided as an aid to students, was compiled from many sources. History of printing in the american colonies and america at. But i am not sure what the first printed book in the usa was.
Stephen daye issues the bay psalm book, the first book written. Without his cajoling of the french government for financial and military support, it is quite possible the american revolution would have. The reason why book publishing flourished in america in the 1860s was. The book was widely advertised as the first english bible printed in america, and was recommended as such both by the continental congress and by george washington. His history of printing in america, with a biography of. Oct 17, 2014 the bay psalm book is often described as the first book printed in america. History of printing in the american colonies and america. It was based largely upon the protestant tutor, which he had published in england, and was the first reading primer designed for the american colonies. The first book printed in british north america and. The first book printed in british north america and a church. Both books are encompassed in this single volume, offering readers and collectors a personal edition of a major icon of book history and a great artifact of american culture. This facsimile of a rare first edition includes a companion volume, the enigma of the bay psalm book, which provides an academic study of the psalters history and contents. He was also americas first diplomat and global thought leader. The bay psalm book the first book printed in america is.
Benjamin franklin was not just the the first american. The bay psalm book is a book of many firststhe first englishlanguage book in north america, the first book of american poetry, and the first instance in a long and vital history of printing in america. In 1763, saur produced the first bible printed on paper manufactured in america, and in 1776, saur produced the first bible printed from type manufactured in america all of which were in the german language. First newspaper published in the colonies mass moments. Gutenberg bible the gutenberg bible was the first book printed on a printing press, but it was not the first book ever printed. History of printing timeline american printing history.
The twoway the decision to sell a piece of north american. The bay psalm book was the first book printed in british north america. An earlier version of this post said the bay psalm book was the first book printed in north america. It is the very first book printed in what is now the united states. The psalms in it are metrical translations into english. Study 28 terms history of gd ch 7 flashcards quizlet. We are thrilled that this book, which is so important to our history and culture, is destined to be widely seen by americans who can appreciate its. In fact, the first book printed in english north america contained a translation of the psalms. We have no tangible evidence of this little volume, no copies appear to have survived the tides of time. Apr 06, 20 the whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into english metre commonly known as the bay psalm book, was the first book printed in the american colonies. The revolutionary war interrupted trade between the american colonies and the kings authorized printers in britain.
The first edition of saurs german bible came off an american press in 1743. To mark the holiday season, cq roll call introduces you to a very special piece of american history now at the library of congress. This extremely rare second edition is one of only seven known copies and one of only three totally complete copies. Many people are shocked to discover that the first bible printed in america was not english or any other european language. Until i read this book i never realized that indians farmed corn and beans to such a great extent. The the first book printed in north america offsite link. The crazy story behind the first book published in the future.
Most historians believe that it was in this house, in 1639, that stephen day and his son matthew printed the freemans oath broadsheet. Apr 20, 2020 the first dated printed book is the diamon sutra. Known as the bay psalm book, but really titled the whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into english metre, it represents what was most sacred to the puritansa faithful translation of gods word, to be sung in worship by the entire congregation. A rare copy of the first book ever printed in america a collection of psalms produced in cambridge, mass. Rubenstein said, i appreciate the hard work of jim billington and the library of congress professionals in organizing this exhibition. The bay psalm book, the first book printed in what would become the united states. The bay psalm book, the first book printed in the american colonies cambridge. The british museums copy of the aitken bible bears aitkens autograph memorandum, this first copy of the first edition of the bible ever. Back then, printing was limited in the number of editions made and nearly exclusively decorative, used for pictures and designs. Native american native american history pilgrims reading thirteen colonies and life.
Americas history spans just a few centuries, but hundreds of hymnals. Typography typography maturation of the printed book. Dec 22, 2015 to mark the holiday season, cq roll call introduces you to a very special piece of american history now at the library of congress. The first bible printed in america a leaf from john eliots algonquin native american indian language bible. The decision to sell a piece of north american history has sparked intense debate at old south church in boston. A history of book ownership in the american colonies. Issued in cambridge, massachusetts in 1640, it was certainly the first book printed in the english colonies of america, and the first book printed in what later became the. The churchs historian says the book is simply not theirs to sell. Early english bibles bibles in the american colonies. Spanish america, colonized before british america, housed the first printing. The first printing was done in early 1639, and the first book to be designed and printed in the english american colonies was the whole book of psalmes now called the bay psalm book of 1640 fig. May 30, 2007 the first book printed in the english language was the recuyell of the histories of troy, issued, about 1475, at bruges.
Published in cambridge, massachusetts in 1640 by stephen daye, the bay psalm book was a collection of holy songs translated from the old testaments hebrew into english. In 1640, after the printing of the freemans oath and an almanac, stephen and matthew began work on the first book published in. Known as the bay psalm book, it was also the first book printed in english in the new world. By then most materials needed for book production could be. In addition to being the first book printed in the british american colonies, the bay psalm book should be recognized as the first book written in america as well.
The translations are not particularly polished, and not one has remained in use, although some of the tunes to which they were sung have survived for instance, old 100th. New england at the time, including john cotton, richard mather, and john eliot. The first book published in what is now the usa was a puritan hymnal called the bay psalm book. Women printers american colonies international printing. Women printers american colonies international printing museum. The bay psalm book was the first book printed in north america for englishspeaking colonists. It presented literal translations of old testament psalms in rhymed meter and was used in nearly every puritan. The whole book of psalmes now called the bay psalm book.
On this day in 1690, boston printer benjamin harris produced the first issue of publick occurrences, the first newspaper published in britains north american colonies. Colonists came seeking religious freedom, so the first book they printed. The whole book of psalmes now called the bay psalm book printed and. In 1640, he printed the bay psalm book, the first book published in the american colonies. It was the first book printed in british north america. The whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into english metre commonly known as the bay psalm book, was the first book printed in. The first hundred years of printing in british north. Thus the first americanprinted book was issued in mexico in 1536. The bay psalm book, published in cambridge, massachusetts in 1641, sought to make it easy for congregations to sing psalms, which ministers regarded as a form of prayer. The whole booke of psalmes, or the bay psalm book, as it is now known, is expected to sell for. Thus the first american printed book was issued in mexico in 1536. Mezzotint, the first tonal method to produce halftones without using line or dotbased techniques such as crosshatching or stippleling. The bay psalm book is a metrical psalter first printed in 1640 in cambridge, massachusetts. He decided that the massachusetts bay colony was the change he was.
Compared to the great publishing right of london, to which the whole british empire looked for printed matter, the output of the american colonies was small. American colonies also gives you a very detailed view of the history of the various indian tribes both before and after the europeans arrived. The new england primer was first published between 1687 and 1690 by printer benjamin harris, who had come to boston in 1686 to escape the brief catholic ascendancy under james ii. Colonial america and native americans book list scholastic. Nov 25, 20 today, sothebys will auction a copy of the first englishlanguage book printed in america. The first book printed in british north america and a churchs decision to sell it.
The whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into english metre commonly known as the bay psalm book, was the first book printed in the american colonies. The largest of the shops probably had three presses, and most one or two. London was the right of the english book world, the source for virtually all supplies and books flowing to the american colonies. The first book printed in british north america and a.
Typography maturation of the printed book britannica. The bay psalm book is often described as the first book printed in america. Dec 04, 2012 the first book printed in british north america and a churchs decision to sell it. What was the first book printed in the american colonies. The earliest dated printed book known is diamond sutra, printed in china in 868 ce. Well before the end of the first century of typography, the printer had brought to the book the basic forms of nearly every element that he was to contribute. Issued in cambridge, massachusetts in 1640, it was certainly the first book printed in the english colonies of america, and the first book printed in what later became the united states. The translations are not particularly polished, and not one has remained in use, although some of the tunes to which they were sung. In 1640, after the printing of the freemans oath and an almanac, stephen and matthew began work on the first book published in the american colonies, the whole booke of psalmes. The 10 best books about early colonial history of 2020. In the first century of printing in america the number of printing establishments was never great. Especially printers in the american colonies used the new type so extensively that no piece of 18th century american printing looks real to us unless it is printed in caslon.
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