The beginnings of printing in the Near and Middle East: Jews, Christians, and Muslims

On occasion of the 28th German Orientalist Conference (Deutscher Orienta-listentag) at the University of Bamberg the Chair of Turcology (Lehrstuhl für Türkische Sprache, Geschichte und Kultur) and the Staatsbibliothek Bamberg are presenting an exhibition of the history of printing and books in the Near and Middle East. The exhibition covers the period from the oldest examples of printing in Hebrew, from the late 16th century to textbooks in Turkish, printed in Latin script to aid the Kemalist introduction of the new alphabet in Turkey in 1928. Most of the objects have never been exhibited or interpreted before. The 44 printed works described in this catalogue originate from such different places as Saloniki, Choueir in Lebanon and Teheran and were intended as much for religious edification, practical and scientific purposes as well as entertainment. All objects are presented in full page facsimile. The catalogue is a collaborative effort by nine authors who pioneered research into this area. The exhibition (26.03.-14.04.2001) has been made possible by the generosity of many collectors, scholars and libraries.