”Welcome friends and colleagues” Poznań register book of journeymen bookbinders

Abstract

From its inception bookbinding has been inseparably linked to science and arts, and closely connected with books, both hand-written and printed. Throughout centuries, thanks to favourable social and historical circumstances triggered by a constant growth in the number of various publications, bookbinders organized themselves in guilds. The guilds included master book binders, journeymen and young apprentices in the craft. During their 3-4 year long traineeship, apprentices learnt their trade and professional tricks of trade. On finishing the apprentice period they became journeymen. One of the stages in the development of their professional career involved, according to custom, traveling and offering their services. This, besides maintaining craft standards, was in intention to provide them with an exchange of experiences, which was to improve the level of craftsmanship in the country. Poznań “Register of the entries in the book of journeymen bookbinders” is a unique document and records the activity of the Association of Bookbinders in Poznań in the latter half of the nineteenth century. It includes many entries made by German and Polish journeymen looking for employment in the town. The “Book” is a valuable and important proof for the existence of a rich professional life of the then bookbinders in the town.