Joannes Lievens was hired as a journeyman printer by the #PlantinPress in June 1733. He worked there for 32 years until, suddenly in 1765, he was dismissed in disgrace. His colleagues said he deserved to be completely cancelled. What had Lievens done? I haven't a clue. /2

Work experience of Joannes Lievens in 1733 (MPM Arch. 735, item 422)

To work at the #PlantinPress, you needed proven experience. Pressman Joannes Lievens trained with Jouret, spent 3 years in Mechelen with Van der Elst, then worked briefly for Du Caju and later for the widow Van der Cruys. In 1733, at age 26, he looked for a new job.

#Skystorians #PrintingHistory /1

Ever wondered how pressmen and compositors at the early-modern Plantin Press structured their careers? 📘🕰️

Join the University of Antwerp as a PhD fellow and dive into the rhythms of labour between 1580–1840

Apply by 1 July 2026 👇

#PhDPosition #EarlyModern #PlantinPress #PrintingHistory #Antwerp

"...Boop."

From Claude Paradin’s Devises héroïques, published first in 1551 by Plantin in Antwerp. Emblem books paired images with moral mottos, popular with elite, humanist audiences.

🧵

#ClaudeParadin #PlantinPress #EarlyModern #BookHistory #Renaissance #AlbumsAmicorum

The invisible partner Unveiling Maria de Sweert’s role in the Plantin Press

New blog post! Explore Maria de Sweert’s overlooked contribution to the Plantin Press and its 17th-century legacy.

Full story👉 medium.com/@museumplant...

#BookHistory #earlymodern #WomensAgency #WomeninHistory #Bluestorians #Skystorians #PlantinPress #History

🐘🐎🐫 #WorldAnimalDay — seventeenth-century style!

Frontispiece designed by Peter Paul Rubens and engraved by Cornelis Galle for De militia equestri antiqua et nova (Antwerp: Plantin Press, 1630).
An ode to cavalry — from centaurs to camels.

#BookHistory #PlantinPress #Rubens

Printed work regulation of the Plantin Press, Antwerp, [1570-1572], tg:mpmak:25

Tiny hole with rusty brown edges in one of Christophe Plantin's printed work regulations, Antwerp, [1570-1572], tg:mpmak:25

Tiny hole with rusty brown edges in one of Christophe Plantin's printed work regulations, Antwerp, [1570-1572], tg:mpmak:25

Looking at tiny holes with rusty brown edges, indicating that Antwerp printer Christophe Plantin once nailed this work regulation to the wall of his workshop.

#bookhistory
#earlymodern
#plantinpress
#workregulations
#skystorians

An interesting observation in my 1569 Plantin edition of Summa Theologica: the printer’s device features the motto ‘Constantia et labore’ instead of the usual ‘Labore et constantia.’ I’ve not seen this variant in other Plantin imprints. Has anyone encountered this before? #BookHistory #PlantinPress

Presenting a paper on the training of Balthasar Moretus III on the shop floor of the #PlantinPress with a phenomenal view on Riga's old city on the background. I would like to thank the National Library of Latvia for this opportunity.

#bookhistory
#earlymodernhistory
#plantinmoretus

Unused title pages from the 18th-century Plantin Press reveal fascinating insights into historical printing practices. These rare sheets showcase efficiency, craftsmanship, and the art of multi-color printing. A tangible piece of book history! #BookHistory #PrintingPress #PlantinPress