Znojmo chapbooks with false imprints and tools for their detection

Abstract

In the first half of the 19th century, one can relatively often encounter the phenomenon of false imprints in Czech chapbooks. In such cases, a different place of printing is indicated in the imprint than was the case in reality. Uncritical acceptance of data about the place of printing can then lead to completely erroneous conclusions in subsequent analyses. Using the example of a number of Znojmo chapbooks, the aim of this text to demonstrate ways to identify chapbooks which have a false imprint. By analysing specific model chapbooks, we have been able to derive the tools that can be used for identification. A comparison of woodcuts turned out to be the main tool for identifying these prints. The study also shows that the Znojmo print shop produced a large number of chapbooks with a false imprint in the 1840s under Martin Hoffmann. The stated conclusions raise significant questions regarding any future evaluation of chapbook output at individual print shops on Czech territory.