The Invention of Printing.: A Collection of Facts and Opinions, Descriptive of Early Prints and Playing Cards, the Block-Books of the Fifteenth Century, the Legend of Lourens Janszoon Coster, of Haarlem, and the Work of John Gutenberg and His AssociatesDe Vinne, Theodore Low
History
The Invention of Printing.: A Collection of Facts and Opinions, Descriptive of Early Prints and Playing Cards, the Block-Books of the Fifteenth Century, the Legend of Lourens Janszoon Coster, of Haarlem, and the Work of John Gutenberg and His Associates
De Vinne, Theodore Low
Incunabula -- Bibliography; Printing -- History -- Origin and antecedents
Anthony Heilmann testified that, when he learned that Gutenberg wished
to take Andrew Dritzehen as a third [partner] in the company formed
for the sale of mirrors at the fair of Aix-la-Chapelle, _he begged
him with importunity to take also his brother Andrew_, if he wished
to do a great favor to him, Anthony. But Gutenberg told him that he
feared that the friends of Andrew would pretend that this business
[or secret] was that of sorcery, an imputation he wished to avoid.
Heilmann persisted in his request, and finally obtained a document,
which he was obliged to show to the two future partners, and about
which they found it necessary to have a consultation. Gutenberg took
the document to them, and they decided that they would comply with its
terms, and in this way the affair [of partnership] was settled. In
the midst of these negotiations, Andrew Dritzehen begged this witness
[Anthony Heilmann] to lend him some money, and he then said that he
would willingly oblige him, if he would give good security. And he
lent Dritzehen 90 pounds, which Dritzehen took to Gutenberg, at Saint
Arbogastus. . . . . The witness asked him, “What do you wish to do
with so much money? You do not need more than 80 guilders.” Dritzehen
replied that he had need for more money; that it was but two or three
days before the [vigil of] Annunciation (March 25), on which day he
was bound to give 80 guilders to Gutenberg. [Here follows an elaborate
explanation of the financial standing and the rights of each partner.]
After that, Gutenberg said to this witness that it was necessary that
he should draw his attention to an essential point [in the agreement],
which was, that all the partners were on a footing of equality, and
that there should be a mutual understanding that each should conceal
nothing from the others; and that this arrangement would be for the
common benefit. The witness was content with this proposition, and
communicated it with praises to the other two. Some time after this,
Gutenberg repeated his words, and the witness responded with the same
protestations as before, and said that he intended to be worthy of the
trust. After this, Gutenberg drew up an agreement as the expression
of this proposition, and said to this witness: “Consult well among
yourselves, and see that you are agreed on this matter.” They did so
consult, and they discussed for a long time on this point, and even
sought the advice of Gutenberg, who, on one occasion, said: “_There
are here now_ [p388] _many things ready for use, and there are many
more in progress; the goods you acquire are almost equal to your
investment in money. In addition to all this, you get the knowledge
of the secret art_.” So they soon came to an agreement, and it was
decided that the heirs of the deceased partner should have for that
partner’s investment, for the _forms_, and for all the materials, 100
guilders; but they should have it only after the five years. Gutenberg
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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