| Block book | Art | A form of book containing text alone, or text with pictures, printed entirely from woodcuts on only one side of each leaf. Block books originated in Europe during the 15th century at the same time as printing from movable type and may have been an inexpensive alternative to books produced on a printing press. The best known example is the Biblia Pauperum (Bible of the Poor) printed in large quantities during the second half of the 15th century. Fewer than two dozen copies are known to have survived. See also: xylography. (references) |
