Laurens Jansen Coster
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Laurens Jansen Coster
LAURENS JANSEN COSTER or KOSTER Dutch town official of Haarlem, credited by some with the invention of movable type
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 620464
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10073351
1370 1440 Coster Credited Glum Haarlem Invention Jansen Laurens Movable Official Trimming Koster
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures Laurens Jansen Coster, a Dutch town official of Haarlem, who is credited by some with the invention of movable type around 1440. The historical figure, dressed in a fur-trimmed hat and a somber, long-sleeved gown, exudes an air of quiet determination and intensity. The year is estimated to be around 1370, based on his attire, but the significance of the date lies not in the fashion, but in the groundbreaking innovation that would soon follow. Laurens Jansen Coster, also known as Peter or Pieter, was a man of humble origins who rose to prominence in the bustling town of Haarlem. His name is often mentioned in the same breath as Johannes Gutenberg, the German blacksmith who is more famously credited with the invention of movable type. However, recent research suggests that Coster may have preceded Gutenberg by several years, making him the true pioneer of this revolutionary technology. Movable type allowed for the mass production of books, making knowledge more accessible to the general population. This was a pivotal moment in the history of the written word, paving the way for the spread of literacy and the dissemination of ideas. Despite the controversy surrounding the attribution of this invention, Laurens Jansen Coster's legacy as a trailblazer in the world of printing remains undisputed. This striking portrait, captured by the skilled lens of Mary Evans Picture Library, invites us to contemplate the quiet genius of this unassuming Dutch town official, whose contributions to the world of literature and communication continue to resonate centuries later.
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