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STATUTES OF THE
GUILD OF PRINTERS
AND BOOKSELLERS.

Approved, praised and confirmed by
the Renowned Gentlemen Provveditori di Comune*

TO BE EXECUTED ON BEHALF
of the Illustrious and Most High Council of Ten,
on 18 January 1548.
                  GOD the Almighty and GLORIOUS
                  grants this favour to us Printers and
                  Booksellers who have opened workshops
                  and publishing houses in this noble City:
namely that we may do and carry out things which serve His
Holy ends, as well as the glory and renown of this Most Serene
Republic, in particular to lay down orders and rules for the
things which pertain to our Art, so that in future this Art of
ours can direct its actions for the glory of the Divine Majesty
and the benefit of all, under the protection of the glorious
Virgin Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of this blessed
and well instituted Republic.

FIRST STATUTE.
                  First of all, a guild will be created for our
                  art, to be made up of printers and book=
                  sellers who have workshops and sell books,
                  which booksellers and printers shall from now
                  on be obliged to assemble
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*) A title used by Venetian state officials.


    

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CAPITOLI DELL' UNI=
VERSITA DELLI STAM=
PATORI, ET LIBRARI.

Approbati, Laudati et confermati dalli
      Clariss. Signori Proveditori di Comu[ne].

IN ESSECUTIONE DELLA PARTE
Dell' Illustrissimo, Et Eccelso Consiglio di X.
sotto XVIII. Genaro. M.DXLVIII.
                  EL GLORIOSO, et grande IDDIO
                  conceda gratia a noi Stampatori
                  et Librari che tenemo Botteghe, et
                  Case aperte in quest' alma Citta di po=
ter fare et esseguir cose che siano per suo santo ser=
vitio, et a gloria et honor di questa serenissima
Repub. nel dar ordine et regola alle Cose dell'arte
nostra, accio che per l'avenire essa nostra Arte pos=
sa indrizar l'attioni sue a laude della divina Ma=
esta et a beneficio commune, sotto la protettione &
della gloriosa Vergine Madre del Signor nostro
Giesù Christo, et di questa felicissima et bene insti=
tuta Republica.

CAPITOLO PRIMO.
                  Sia creato prima un Collegio dell'
                  arte nostra di Stampatori, et Librari
                  chi tengono bottega, et vendono Libri
                  li quali de presenti siano obligati ritro=