This edition elaborately discusses the letters between London based nurseryman William Malcolm (d.1798) and David van Royen (1727-1799), professor of Botany and the director of the Hortus Botanicus...Show moreThis edition elaborately discusses the letters between London based nurseryman William Malcolm (d.1798) and David van Royen (1727-1799), professor of Botany and the director of the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden, written between 1768-1773. The research focuses on how this correspondence gives insight in the study of botany in Leiden and the development of its botanical garden, the international plant trade and the extensive network of people involved, and the close relationship between science and commerce in the second half of the eighteenth century.Show less
De Militaire Willemsorde, a Dutch play by Rosier Faassen, can be found in the Special Collections of the Leiden University Library. It exists in several different versions, in print as well as a...Show moreDe Militaire Willemsorde, a Dutch play by Rosier Faassen, can be found in the Special Collections of the Leiden University Library. It exists in several different versions, in print as well as a manuscript in beautiful nineteenth century script, dating from 1873 until presumably 1885. This historical drama about a family torn apart by a young soldier going to war had never since been edited. After all these years, a new edition was made so that yet again this humorous play with experiences recognizable to many generations can be performed and studied anew. Furthermore, a biographical element also appears in the edition whereby parts of Faassen’s auto-biography, which also has not been edited since the late nineteenth century, was used. To provide access to the text for a broader audience, the text was translated from Dutch to English. Much of the same considerations being used to edit the text were also used to prepare the translation. Hunter’s Editing Early Modern Texts as well as Mathijsen’s Naar de Letter was used in the editing process, as a framework and point of guidance. The edition takes the form of what Mathijsen calls a ‘study-edition’ , and contains a historical, critical edition of the text, as well as a justification of the choice of copy text, extensive commentary on the text, including historical and biographical information as well as a stylistic analysis of the text (based on Leech and Short). The translation is preceded by a theoretical framework on the process and strategies that were used in the translation of this drama from the nineteenth century. The overall procedure for the translation of the text was centered around the notions of domestication versus foreignization (Venuti) as well as notions of historicization and modernization, and performability (Bassnett and Lefevere). Vinay and Darbelnet’s translation procedures were discussed and used in the annotated translation, to describe the procedures used for the variety of translation problems that arose during the process. Lefevere’s work on translation as rewriting is especially relevant here, as he also remarks that “the same basic process of rewriting is at work in translation, historiography, anthologization, criticism, and editing” (9). In Lefevere’s words lies the suggestion that a natural relationship exists between translation studies and the world of the editor and philologist, which in reality seems to be a struggled one. Translation is often underrated by philologists, with their translated texts being used for instrumental purposes. A discussion about the mutual importance of translation and philology, and the recognition awarded in their respective fields was necessary here. The question: “How can the fields of philology and translation be reconciled in the edition and translation of De Militaire Willemsorde?” is answered in the final chapter.Show less
This thesis has analysed the publisher Jacobus van Egmont and the place he occupied on the competitive popular book market of early eighteenth century Amsterdam. The thesis focuses on how the...Show moreThis thesis has analysed the publisher Jacobus van Egmont and the place he occupied on the competitive popular book market of early eighteenth century Amsterdam. The thesis focuses on how the societal and cultural changes of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century are represented in Van Egmont's list of publications and how these changes influenced Van Egmont's strategy and career.Show less
This thesis has examined the presence of English books in the libraries of three well-read Dutchmen in the seventeenth century: Balthasar Lydius, Johannes de Laet and Justus Turcq. Consequently,...Show moreThis thesis has examined the presence of English books in the libraries of three well-read Dutchmen in the seventeenth century: Balthasar Lydius, Johannes de Laet and Justus Turcq. Consequently, it has examined the influence of Anglo-Dutch relations on the contents of the libraries of Dutchmen in the Golden Age.Show less
This thesis examines the buying behaviour of Dutch women during the eighteenth century and determines whether a change can be detected in the kinds of works that women bought. The research is based...Show moreThis thesis examines the buying behaviour of Dutch women during the eighteenth century and determines whether a change can be detected in the kinds of works that women bought. The research is based on the female customers that came to Luchtmans, an academic bookshop in Leiden, and thus the main source of this study is the extensive archive that the firm has left behind. At the start of the eighteenth century, a wealthy mother primarily visited the shop to purchase school books for her young children. However, as the century progressed, an increasing number of unmarried women came to buy newspapers and novels, as they had more freedom to pursue their own interests. Although these women were certainly not representative of the general female population in Leiden, an interesting shift presented itself when comparing women from two time periods in the eighteenth century.Show less
This paper revolves around the changes that the academic library of the 21st century has to go through because of the e-book. It analyses the different acquisition methods, the implications for the...Show moreThis paper revolves around the changes that the academic library of the 21st century has to go through because of the e-book. It analyses the different acquisition methods, the implications for the library’s administration as well as the user experiences with the electronic book. Finally, it explores the possibility of the library transforming into an institution of access instead of an ownership which was the status quo for many years.Show less
A case study of De Correspondent's move to include a paperback publishing division to their online platform for research journalism. An analysis of the current market situation in publishing in the...Show moreA case study of De Correspondent's move to include a paperback publishing division to their online platform for research journalism. An analysis of the current market situation in publishing in the Netherlands, and what De Correspondent's developments and choices might mean for the future of the book.Show less
‘The Lorelei: “Verfasser unbekannt” – Fact or Fiction’ explores the earliest sources of a rumour, saying that the Nationalist Socialists changed the attribution of the famous German folk song from...Show more‘The Lorelei: “Verfasser unbekannt” – Fact or Fiction’ explores the earliest sources of a rumour, saying that the Nationalist Socialists changed the attribution of the famous German folk song from Heinrich Heine, its actual author, to ‘author unknown’. Research shows that the rumour has its roots in the German emigrant press, being repeated so often that it even persists today. The rumour appeared late 1934, i.e. earlier than the source that is usually named as the earliest source: the preface of Walter Behrendson’s book ‘Der lebendige Heine im germanischen Norden’. The conflict between the song as a symbol of genuine German culture and the author’s Jewish origin was even mentioned before 1934, namely in a satire dated early 1932.Show less
The history of child labour, compulsory education, mental illness and the Second World War are fascinating and many books have been written about these subjects. However, Wolter’s autobiography...Show moreThe history of child labour, compulsory education, mental illness and the Second World War are fascinating and many books have been written about these subjects. However, Wolter’s autobiography shows how all of these four themes influenced his life. Through this edition of his autobiography, these four themes will actually become a reality instead of just history.Show less
Jakob Verseveldt (1903-1987) was one of the first men to travel from the Netherlands to the Dutch East Indies on behalf of the Jan Pieterszoon Coen Foundation. This society was located in Batavia ...Show moreJakob Verseveldt (1903-1987) was one of the first men to travel from the Netherlands to the Dutch East Indies on behalf of the Jan Pieterszoon Coen Foundation. This society was located in Batavia (modern Jakarta), where it ran an all-boys boarding school. The foundation was partly funded by Henri Deterding, director of the Bataafse Petroleum Maatschappij (Batavian Petroleum Company, B.P.M., now known as Shell). This was used to fund the expedition of ‘Deterdingers’. Verseveldt was part this group of ‘Deterdingers’, young Dutch students and teachers who were sent to the Dutch East Indies to learn about teaching methods in the colony. To a large extent, however, the trip was meant as propaganda for the Dutch colonial government and the economic exploitation of the East Indies.Show less
As the Internet facilitates not only the passive consumption but also the active creation of media content, the lines between the two categories blur continuously. At the same time new content is...Show moreAs the Internet facilitates not only the passive consumption but also the active creation of media content, the lines between the two categories blur continuously. At the same time new content is created and shared with unprecedented speed and available in abundance. Among the many industries deeply affected by this development is publishing: Readers are now creating their own book reviews on YouTube. The thesis at hand examines how this BookTube phenomenon affects cultural and social contexts of reading. BookTube constitutes a dynamic new agent in the field of trade publishing due to its specific resources in social and symbolic capital. It functions as an amplifier for authors and publishers while disrupting established forms of book reviewing in traditional media. Furthermore, BookTube exemplifies that online platforms have a particular relevance to the generation of ‘digital natives’ in terms of reading and consuming habits and the forming of its attitude towards books.Show less
This edition contains 26 letters from the Doesburg Letter Collection (1777 -1822) focusing on its female correspondents. The letters give an exceptional insight into the personal lives of men and...Show moreThis edition contains 26 letters from the Doesburg Letter Collection (1777 -1822) focusing on its female correspondents. The letters give an exceptional insight into the personal lives of men and women from all layers of the population in a time in Dutch history that was marked by almost constant war and the subsequent political, social and economic changes that came with these conflicts. Many of the letters are signed by women, which make the letter collection a rare source, since not many writings have been preserved from women living in this period, especially not from the lower class. For this reason, this edition focuses entirely on the female correspondence of the collection. The letters for this edition were chosen based on their geographic variation in order to give a broad picture not only of the lives of women from Doesburg, but from all over the Netherlands in the regarding period. To place the letters into context, this edition includes: an overview of the history of the Netherlands and Doesburg in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, of reading and writing in the Low Countries, of the position of women in the Netherlands, and provides a sketch of the Dutch postal system between 1777-1822.Show less
The invention of the Web has influenced the world drastically. Talking in real-time to someone on the other side of the planet is no longer an issue. Also, consuming information has become a lot...Show moreThe invention of the Web has influenced the world drastically. Talking in real-time to someone on the other side of the planet is no longer an issue. Also, consuming information has become a lot easier and quicker; think about checking the weather or the news while you are waiting at the bus stop. Network technology has affected almost every part of our lives and therefore, expectations are high when it comes to what the Web can do more. Evidence are the many claims about the Web being a democratizing force in the case of politics for instance. The main question in this thesis is: To what extent does the Web as a thoroughly ‘democratic’ medium with its two-way traffic, helps the exchange of knowledge and thus is contributing to a democratic system in politics as much as its formal characteristics appear to promise? To answer this main question, this thesis will treat several questions first: What does a 'democratizing force' mean? And: What does it mean when someone claims the Web to be a democratizing force? With help from recent case studies, news articles and research in the field of new media, I tried to find answers to these questions.Show less
Highlighting the importance of customer relationship management in Dutch trade publishing, effects and possibilities of promotional activities and the use of different media in book marketing are...Show moreHighlighting the importance of customer relationship management in Dutch trade publishing, effects and possibilities of promotional activities and the use of different media in book marketing are analysed during the consumer decision journey. Reading has become a shared experience, and book marketing can be further advanced through an interactive bond publishers establish with readers. As experience goods and recreational products, books requires a tailored marketing approach that is ideally customized even further in regard of the different markets targeted by individual titles. Libraries stimulate book borrowing by connecting with readers and encouraging the act of reading, and publishers can do the same. Reading promotion adds to the appeal of buying books in general: by promoting reading besides individual titles, and through collaborating with other stakeholders and pooling resources, publishers are collectively able to cover a wide field of book promotion that eventually benefits individual sales as well.Show less
The features of the academic book are changing in a digital environment. The materiality and fixity are challenged, digital books have the tendency to become networked objects and there are more...Show moreThe features of the academic book are changing in a digital environment. The materiality and fixity are challenged, digital books have the tendency to become networked objects and there are more possibilities for interactivity. The academic book publisher is challenged to engage with this changing paradigm. This thesis argues that the publisher can continue his cultural and intellectual role in society by exploring new digital possibilities and engaging with end-users.Show less
Digital technology enables us to access and examine texts in ways that are not possible in printed publications. One of the potential digital enhancements involves making the meaning of texts...Show moreDigital technology enables us to access and examine texts in ways that are not possible in printed publications. One of the potential digital enhancements involves making the meaning of texts machine-readable. This has been referred to as semantic publishing and many scientific publishers have made extensive use of semantic technologies in their publications. Meanwhile, the potential of semantic enhancements for the humanities remains to a great degree unexplored. This thesis examines semantic enhancements in the context of how humanities research is conducted: Which type of humanities publication is best suited for semantic enhancement? Which guidelines should govern how the text is coded? And how can the end-users of the book benefit from the enhancements? These questions are examined through a case study of a single monograph (The Book-hunter in London, 1895) since this is a particularly important form of publication in the humanities. The focus throughout is on the end-user of the enhanced edition.Show less
Medieval manuscripts are our most important sources about more than a millennium of history and culture. Because they are kept in repositories all over the world and because they are valuable and...Show moreMedieval manuscripts are our most important sources about more than a millennium of history and culture. Because they are kept in repositories all over the world and because they are valuable and vulnerable artefacts, access to them has always been very limited. This is changing as a growing number of medieval manuscripts is digitised and made available online for everyone, everywhere. However, it has been claimed that digitisation programmes are often focused more on preservation of the manuscripts than on serving the user community. This thesis explores to what extent online collections of medieval manuscripts currently meet the needs of their main user group, humanities scholars. First, it is investigated which characteristics interfaces of such collections should ideally offer, and then three websites with medieval manuscript collections are analysed to find out whether they meet these criteria. The overall structure and design of the analysed websites were found to meet most of the criteria, but functionalities at the level of the manuscripts can still be expanded a lot. This includes image manipulation tools and tools for extracting, adding and sharing information.Show less
The aim of this thesis paper is to understand the change in the relationship between libraries and society as part of the effects of today’s changes in technology, to analyze how this change is a...Show moreThe aim of this thesis paper is to understand the change in the relationship between libraries and society as part of the effects of today’s changes in technology, to analyze how this change is a reflection of how the very structure of information is being altered by the ways it is conveyed through digital platforms, and to trace its social impact. We are a culture of the book, the way we perceive and interact with the world has been shaped by the implications of print culture, and now this way is being transformed by the implications of digital culture. The different properties attributed to digital technologies enable people to have a more active and significant role in the construction of knowledge in culture.Show less
This study deals with the effects of the war on printing, publishing and bookselling in the Netherlands. In a time in which society was changing fast, the book trade witnessed new legislation and...Show moreThis study deals with the effects of the war on printing, publishing and bookselling in the Netherlands. In a time in which society was changing fast, the book trade witnessed new legislation and increasing regulation, as well as more collaboration between the government, employers and employees to create better conditions, while actions were undertaken to limit the negative effects of the war.Show less
