Earliest Example of Multicolor Printed Book from 17th Century Is Opened for First Time

Cambridge University Library recently digitized the first multicolor printed book, a 17th-century artist manual that remained in print for over 200 years. Manual of Calligraphy and Painting (Shi zhu zhai shu hua pu) was so fragile in physical form that it had previously never even been opened.

The manual was created in 1633 by the Ten Bamboo Studio using a technique of polychrome xylography invented by the studio's owner, the pioneering artist and printmaker Hu Zhengyan.