The World’s First Multicolored Printed Book
Thanks to Cambridge University we can now see inside the world’s first multicolored printed book. The book is called Shi zhu zhai shu hua pu, ‘Manual of Calligraphy and Painting’ and was first published in 1633 in Nanjing. The book is comprised of eight categories – birds, plums, orchids, bamboos, fruit, stones, ink drawings (round fans) and miscellany – and is illustrated by 50 different artists and calligraphers. It is the earliest known example of multicolor printing in the world.
Images and text via BookPatrol and arlingtonvalib for the find!
