'Printing and the Mind of Man' Papers

'Printing and the Mind of Man' was the title of two exhibitions in connection with the Eleventh International Printing Machinery and Allied Trades Exhibition (IPEX) in 1963. A book with the same title was published in 1967.

The larger exhibition was part of IPEX at Earls Court, 16-27 July 1963. There were two 'components', one covering the historical evolution of printing techniques, and the other the impact of printing upon Western civilization. The latter was the responsiblity of a Historical Subcommittee, chaired by Percy H. Muir. A third component was a separate exhibition of fine printing at the British Museum July-September 1963.

The book Printing and the mind of man, edited by Muir and John Carter with a new introduction by Denys Hay, was an expansion of the catalogue entries for the 'Impact' part of the Earls Court exhibition. It was published in Britain by Cassell and in the United States by Holt, Rinehart & Winston in 1967. A German translation was published by Prestel-Verlag in 1968. Proposals for a French edition were never acted on.

Given by Percy H. Muir and Barbara Kaye (Mrs. Muir).

Please cite as Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives, 'Printing and the Mind of Man' Papers, MS Add.9827

This collection was first sorted and foldered by David McKitterick. The present finding aid was prepared by J. F. Coakley in July 2011.