In Grand Dutchy of Lithuania

Belorussian humanist Francysk Skaryna was the first printer in the Grand Dutchy of Lithuania. After studies in several cities in Europe he established his printing house in Vilnius. The first printed book in the Grand Dutchy The Little Travel Book was printed here in 1522. This book was of religious content and intended for travelers – merchants and craftsmen. F. Skaryna printed his books in Old Church Slavonic language, but tried to make them attractive for seculars. In the same printing house he printed another book Apostol (1525). After this printing house was closed books were printed in Poland and in other countries. In the second half of the 16th century situation changed. In 1566 two printers Ivan Fedorov and Pyotr Mstislavets came to the Grand Dutchy of Lithuania form Moscow. In 1569 they printed Tendenca Evangelio. Hrehory Hodkiewicz made a donation for the publishing of this book. H. Hodkiewicz had an estate in Zabludow were a printing house was established for the guests from Moscow. Soon P. Mstislavets opened a branch of this printing house in Vilnius. Here he co-operated with Lukas and Kuzma Mamonichs. Slavonic books printed in Grand Dutchy of Lithuania were high quality typography. They were decorated with woodblocks (xylography), initials, etc.

Reformation left a deep trace in the history of the book. In 1553 Mikolaj Krzysztof Radziwill, nicknamed The Black, voivode of Vilnius, in his estate in Brest-Litovsk gathered many translators and famous printer, citizen of Krakow and student of Erasmus of Roterdam Bernard Wojewodka. Unfortunately, he printed only a few books in Brest-Litovsk. In 1558 new printing house was opened here for printer Stanislaw Murmelius. Books printed in Brest-Litovsk are often anonymous. The most important achievement of this printing house is a polish translation of the Bible printed in 1563. This book is known as the Brest Bible or the Radziwill Bible. With a purpose to spread the ideas of Reformation Mikolaj Radziwill the Black in 1562 established printing house in Nesvizh. Head of this printing house was Daniel Lenczicki. Symon Budny was one of the most educated men in the Grand Dutchy of Lithuania at the time and he strongly supported the Reformation movement in Nesvizh. After the death of Mikolaj Radziwill the Black, his son Mikolaj Krzysztof the Orphan Radziwill took over the estate in Nesvizh. He was a catholic and it is only natural that he was dissatisfied of the printing house. After 1556 printing house was transferred. Another printing house belonged to Wasyl Ciapinski. He was of Slavonic origin. His most important work was the translation the Bible to Belorussian language. He translated and printed the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark. Only beginning of the Gospel of Luke was printed. W. Ciapinski published books during the 70’s and 80’s of the 16th century. His works were printed in various places which leads us to conclusion that he was travelling with his printing equipment.

During a period since 1580’s to 1620’s the Karcan family hold a printing house in Vilnius. It was established by John Karcan. Most of his published books were of secular content and written in Latin and Polish. They were decorated but small. In 32 years J. Karcan published 102 books. He died in 1611 and left the printing house to his son Joseph and son in law Piotr Blastus Kmita who established his printing house and published 5 books. He moved to Lubcha in 1612 and by the year 1620 published another 40 books there.

A voivode of Vilnius Janusz Radziwill looked after a printing house in Kedainiai. It was opened in 1653. 3 books dedicated to Calvinism were printed. Here they all had a same title Kniga Nobažnistes Krikščioniškos. The death of J. Radziwill in 1655 marked the end to the publishing of books related to the ideas of Reformation.

Books for citizens of the Catholic faith were printed in Vilnius by the Jesuit monks. They had the Academy and in 1576 managed to open a printing house. There Mikolaj Krzysztof the Orphan Radziwill took care of it. He convinced printer D. Lenczicki to help the Jesuits to open it. At the beginning books printed in this printing house were of a poor quality and Catholic citizens printed their books in other countries. This problem was solved after 1592 when D. Lenczicki turned to a Catholic faith. He reorganized the printing house and worked here till his death in 1600.