“There’s no limit or end to making or multiplying books”: Printing houses and the diversification of book culture in the 17th century in the capital of New Spain

Abstract

This article documents the development and evolution of the printing presses situated in the central core of the City of Mexico in the 17th century. In addition, the locations of the more than thirty printing presses established in the 17th century are provided, and a spatial-historical analysis is implemented, which allows for a dynamic determination of the ambience and the possible influence of the printing houses of the time. The relationships between some of the printers were derived from their proximity, but also from commercial, familiar and work-related ties; thus, each printer was directly or indirectly linked to the others. This allows for the appreciation of specific cases that have been forgotten; and reviving their memory means recreating a series of experiential relations regarding the press and the history of books in the 18th century, and their connection with Mexico City today. The intent is to delve into the printing houses, and not only into a series of descriptive referents. Although the 17th century stood out as a period of illustrious bibliophiles and notable libraries, it also shared other characteristics in relation to printing: the formation of printing dynasties which were often lead by widows, the alternation of printing and bookselling activities, the growth in the quantity of printers (many of which were short-lived) in this city and others, and the diversification of printing designs and materials.