On Monday, September 28 Michela Bussotti (EFEO) and Isabelle Landry-Deron (EHESS-CECMC) are talking on the topic Impression du chinois et caractères mobiles (XVIIIe s.-XIXe s.) : les Buis du Régent de l'Imprimerie nationale [Printing Chinese and movable type (18th to 19th centuries): the Regent's Blocks from the National Printing Plant]   

Monday, 28 Setptember 2015 (11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

Maison de l'Asie, first-floor salon, 22 avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris

Movable type has its origin in China, attested since the 11th century, but the technique was not widely used in the Middle Kingdom as compared with wood cuts. When Westerners "discovered" China they sought to reproduce its script and naturally turned to typography. The National Printing press holds several East Asian typefaces, including the Regent's Blocks, carved in France during the first half of the 18th century. This collection, completed at the beginning of the 19th century, has been perfectly preserved. Its history is as important for the knowledge of printing techniques as it is for the beginnings of Sinological study, especially in France. READ MORE