The article deals with the problems that stood in the way of the emerging book printing in the Czech lands as well as abroad and shows some specific obstacles on the example of Řehoř Hrubý of Jelení. Hrubý initially published his translations in print; then he stopped publishing for several years; in the last years of his life, he prepared, within a short period of time, several other extensive translations, but only in manuscript form. The reasons may have included the possibilities of the book printing at that time, which did not allow the publication of his works in the corresponding quality, as well as the adaptation to the needs of his readers. Economic factors may have been involved as well, because Hrubý struggled with the lack of funds. That was one of the reasons why he began to create personalised manuscripts for remarkable figures (Prague Town Council, the king of Bohemia Vladislaus II Jagiello).
Mikuláš Štraus is mainly known as a publisher of newspapers and leaflets after the Battle of White Mountain. The article builds on the analysis of the decorative material used by his printing workshop and provides some new conclusions concerning the illustrations of four books published by Štraus: a German translation of Hájek’s Kronika česká [Bohemian Chronicle], Barthold’s hymn-book Hymnorum sacrorum, Luython’s mass-book Liber I. missarum and the verse adaptation of an Old German legend published under the title Sumovní kronika. It identifies some illustrations as the work of the remarkable illustrator Jan Willenberg and thus indicates the wide range of motifs used by this hitherto undervalued artist.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.