Incunabula

Incunabula refers to printed books created during the early years of the printing press, specifically from its invention by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century until 1500. This period marks the transition from hand-copied manuscripts to mass-produced texts, revolutionizing access to knowledge. Incunabula are valuable for their historical significance, showcasing early book design, typography, and the spread of ideas. Collectors and scholars prize these works for their rarity and insights into the cultural and intellectual context of the time. The term itself comes from the Latin word for "swaddling clothes," indicating something in its infancy.