The Bookseller of Florence: Vespasiano da Bisticci and the Manuscripts that Illuminated the Renaissance

A gripping story of ancient wisdom, new technology and ‘the king of the world’s booksellers’, set in Renaissance Florence

‘A marvel of storytelling and a masterclass in the history of the book’ WALL STREET JOURNAL

The Renaissance in Florence conjures images of beautiful frescoes and elegant buildings - the dazzling handiwork of the city’s artists and architects. But equally important were geniuses of another kind- Florence’s manuscript hunters, scribes, scholars and booksellers. At a time where all books were made by hand, these people helped imagine a new and enlightened world.

At the heart of this activity was a remarkable bookseller- Vespasiano da Bisticci. His books were works of art in their own right, copied by talented scribes and illuminated by the finest miniaturists. With a client list that included popes and royalty, Vespasiano became the ‘king of the world’s booksellers’. But by 1480 a new invention had appeared- the printed book, and Europe’s most prolific merchant of knowledge faced a formidable new challenge.

‘A spectacular life of the book trade’s Renaissance man’ JOHN CAREY, SUNDAY TIMES