El. knyga: Guide to Early Printed Books and Manuscripts: A Guide to Early Printed Books and Manuscripts illustrated edition [Wiley Online]

Bland (English and creative writing, De Montfort U., the UK) draws on close familiarity with early manuscripts and printed books in libraries in the UK and the US for this clearly presented, detailed guide. Descriptions of the characteristics, quirks, and construction of individual manuscripts and incunabulae are used throughout to illustrate the features of these early books and their study, with chapters on paper, the structure of documents, producing texts, making variants, and the commercial book trade from the 15th-17th centuries. Both new and seasoned researchers will find this an invaluable resource. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

A Guide to Early Printed Books and Manuscripts provides an introduction to the language and concepts employed in bibliographical studies and textual scholarship as they pertain to early modern manuscripts and printed texts 

• Based almost exclusively on new primary research
• Explains the complex process of viewing documents as artefacts, showing readers how to describe documents properly and how to read their physical properties
• Demonstrates how to use the information gleaned as a tool for studying the transmission of literary documents
• Makes clear why such matters are important and the purposes to which such information is put
• Features illustrations that are carefully chosen for their unfamiliarity in order to keep the discussion fresh