The collections in Early European Books bring online over 200 years of remarkable works from pre-18th century Europe. The contents are drawn from major repositories including the Danish Royal Library, the National Central Library in Florence, the National Library of France, the National Library of the Netherlands, and the Wellcome Library in London. No other online source offers such a wide survey of the print output of Europe from 1450-1700, removing the need for lengthy research trips and saving valuable time and budget.
As the definitive resource in its category, Early European Books allows unlimited access to thousands of pre-1701 books and rare incunabula printed in Europe. It embraces the two-and-a-half centuries following Gutenberg’s invention of movable type in the mid-15th century, which witnessed an unprecedented proliferation and dissemination of literature throughout Europe. In keeping with the tenor of the time, religious works dominate, but there is no shortage of secular material concerning every field of human thought and activity.
Drawing from a diverse array of primary sources in their original languages, this acclaimed series opens the door to in-depth scholarship that was once limited to fragile manuscripts housed in far-flung institutions.
Early European Books offers opportunities to explore examples of books produced by some of the most important printers in all the cities at moments when they were at the height of their productivity and fame.
SANDY WILKINSON, PROFESSOR
Developed and produced in collaboration with scholars, rare book librarians, bibliographers and other experts, Early European Books offers millions of fully searchable pages scanned directly from the original printed sources in high-resolution full color. Each item is captured in its entirety, complete with binding, edges, endpapers, blank pages and any loose inserts. The result is a wealth of information about the physical characteristics and histories of the original.
Find training and informational resources - including accessibility
Track the print innovations that gave the print industry the breadth and thematic variety that ultimately secured its financial viability
Understand the importance of metadata, as well as the curation and digitization of materials, for researchers and scholars
Explore how Early European Books and other resources can be used to research epidemics that have impacted global societies in the past.
Discover examples of women printers found across the Early European Books collection
Designed by EdTech Experts for Teaching, Learning and Research Success
Collections 1-10 Highlights
EEB 1-10 includes book catalogues that reflect the interests and popularity of items from the early modern period but also a substantial number of the items listed in those catalogues.
Read more
Arthur de Weduwen, Ph.D. student at the University of St. Andrews, tells us how he uses Early European Books in his research such as how typographic changes can be observed over centuries.
Read case study
Simon Hudson, Senior Metadata Editor at ProQuest, sheds light on how Early European Books enrich research and learning, delving into topics such as the dissemination of Reformist ideas and their role in the Protestant Reformation.
Read case studyDR. NINA LAMAL
Arthur der Weduwen, Historian at the University of St. Andrews, explores the impact of the printing press on the dissemination of political and state communication.
Read essay
Andrew Pettegree is a renowned British historian, professor at St. Andrews University, director of the Universal Short Title Catalog (USTC), and a leading expert on Europe during the Reformation.
Read essay
Case study
Andrew Pettegree, renowned British historian and professor at St Andrews University, delves into how the printing press influenced 15th century European religion — and how religion influenced the early publishing industry.
Read more
Early English Books Online is the definitive online collection of early printed works in English, making digital copies of over 146,000 rare works from before 1700 discoverable through an interface tailored for early modern scholars.
Read more
ProQuest has teamed with The Hatfield House Archives to digitize their privately held collection of almost 30,000 documents gathered by William Cecil (1520-1598), Lord Burghley and his son Robert Cecil (1563-1612), First Earl of Salisbury.
Read more
This growing collection offers insight into the colonial history of North America and the West Indies. It includes the National Archives collection CO 1-- papers that were presented to the Privy Council and the Board of Trade during 1574-1757.
Read more