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The world's two oldest printing presses

Printing led to a huge increase in the speed of communication. The two oldest printing presses in the world bear witness to this process. They were built around 1650, and can be admired in the Museum Plantin-Moretus, nearly four centuries later.

©LUCID

The world’s oldest printing presses

The printing workshop was the beating heart of the business. In Christoffel Plantin’s own time (around 1575), at least sixteen presses were in operation. The print shop employed 56 people and was, at that time, the largest of its kind in the world.

Today, seven printing presses stand in the printing room, five of which are still operational. The two oldest—and most worn—presses are now ‘at rest’. Dating from around 1600 , they are the oldest printing presses in the world.

Which members of the printing family still knew them? Certainly Plantin’s son-in-law Jan I Moretus, and perhaps Plantin himself as well. These presses produced 1,250 sheets per day , printed on both sides. A working day lasted an average of 14 hours. For a long time, printers were paid by output, giving them every incentive to work long hours and print as many sheets as possible.

©Ans Brys

The world’s oldest printing presses

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