Printer's Mark of Johann Bebelius c. 16th century

Editor: This is Hans Holbein the Younger's Printer's Mark of Johann Bebelius. It has such an interesting graphic quality! How did these printer's marks function in the 16th century? Curator: They were incredibly important. Think of them as a publisher's logo, a guarantee of quality and intellectual integrity in a time before copyright laws were strong. Who printed a book significantly shaped its reception. Editor: So, it's not just about the image, but about the entire network of production and distribution? Curator: Precisely! Holbein's mark, with its classical references and humanist undertones, subtly elevated Bebelius's status and shaped public perception. We see here the politics of imagery in action. Editor: That's fascinating. I'll never look at a printer's mark the same way again.