... tasks. Of course, the aims of the printers were not to overcome difficulties, as in every case, as opposed to manuscript production, the ultimate aim was of a mercenary nature, that is to form a book trade. Printers needed to make money. To this end it is true that many failed and success was reserved for those fortunate enough to find investment, but it may not be wise to forget that many others succeeded in making much money from the emergence of the book trade. In effect, one can examine two main areas. Firstly, the extent to which printers overcame the huge problems that were associated with the arrival and absorption of a new technology- those of acceptance, finance, technique, and distribution. Secondly, the extent to which printers themselves found success in their aim of building a prosperous trade and, in many cases such as the 'chapbook' printers, to bring ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now