The history of printing in Malta from 1642 to 1839

Abstract

The invention of movable metal types in Europe has generally been attributed to Johan Gutenberg of Germany (c.1400-1468), who produced the first printed Bible. The Dutch attribute the invention of the process to a certain Coster and it is known that printing with metal movable types was practised by the Dutch before Gutenberg's time. However, although printing spread throughout the length and breadth of Europe and, by time, the printing-machines or presses were considerably improved, yet it was not till 1642 - almost two centuries after the printing of Gutenberg's Bible - that the printing-press was introduced to Malta, and then, only through private initiative. Indeed, Grand Master Lascaris did try to introduce a Press in the late 1630's. His aim seems to have been the printing in Malta of the Statutes passed in the Chapter General of 1631 under Grand Master de Paule. But the Order could not agree with Rome as to the form a press in Malta was to take and so the matter was allowed to lapse. This non-agreement with Rome was to appear again later on and, in fact, it was not until 1747 that complete agreement between the Grand Master and the Pope over the question of press censorship was reached, thus allowing the development of the press in Malta to continue unhindered [...].