K.34.38. Galeni De sanitate tuenda (1538)

Charlotte Guillard was a Parisian printer and bookseller, outliving two printer husbands to become the sole manager of the prestigious Soleil d’Or print shop. There were over 25 women working in the Paris print trade during the sixteenth century but Charlotte is notable for her learning and commitment to publishing quality intellectual works. She published around 158 titles aimed at a professional and student readership. Two thirds were theological works but she also produced a small number of scientific works and translations of ancient Latin and Greek texts. She was also one of the first women publishers of canon and civil law. Charlotte herself was familiar with litigation and collaborated with another prominent woman publisher, Yolande Bonhomme, to bring a case before the University of Paris regarding the poor quality of paper sold in the city. This copy of Galen’s work has been bound by the owner in vellum for portability with extra blank pages for note taking and there are annotations throughout.