The bookseller of Florence : Vespasiano da Bisticci and the manuscripts that illuminated the Renaissance

'A marvel of storytelling and a masterclass in the history of the book' WALL STREET JOURNALThe Renaissance in Florence conjures images of beautiful frescoes and elegant buildings - the dazzling handiwork of the city's artists and architects.

But equally important were geniuses of another kind: Florence's manuscript hunters, scribes, scholars and booksellers.

At a time where all books were made by hand, these people helped imagine a new and enlightened world. At the heart of this activity was a remarkable bookseller: Vespasiano da Bisticci.

His books were works of art in their own right, copied by talented scribes and illuminated by the finest miniaturists.

With a client list that included popes and royalty, Vespasiano became the 'king of the world's booksellers'.

But by 1480 a new invention had appeared: the printed book, and Europe's most prolific merchant of knowledge faced a formidable new challenge. 'A spectacular life of the book trade's Renaissance man' JOHN CAREY, SUNDAY TIMES