Caxton and Edward IV
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Caxton and Edward IV
Caxton showing the first specimen of his printing to King Edward IV at the Almonry, Westminster
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 574776
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10011432
1474 Caxton Press Printing Specimen Typesetting Westminster Almonry
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures a pivotal moment in the annals of history as William Caxton, the pioneering English printer, presents the first specimen of his groundbreaking invention to King Edward IV at the Almonry in Westminster, London, in 1474. The king, dressed in his regal robes and surrounded by his courtiers, peers intently at the intricately typeset pages held aloft by the humbly attired Caxton. The atmosphere is charged with excitement and curiosity as the future of communication is about to be forever changed. A crowd of onlookers, including children and even a dog, gather around to witness this historic occasion. The presence of the king's seal of approval is a significant endorsement for Caxton's new technology, which would go on to revolutionize the way information was disseminated throughout Europe. The Almonry, a charitable institution, provides an appropriate setting for this momentous event. With its grand architecture and rich history, it symbolizes the connection between the past and the future, as well as the intersection of charity, learning, and innovation. The printing press, a bulky and complex machine, is not visible in the photograph, but its impact is palpable. The ability to mass-produce books and broadsheets would lead to an unprecedented spread of knowledge and literacy, shaping the course of history in ways that were unimaginable at the time. This photograph is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and the enduring allure of the written word. It invites us to reflect on the profound impact of the printing press on our world and to marvel at the transformative potential of new technologies.
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