The books included in this exhibition stand as a representation of the variety of stories and works that women have created in the print industry throughout history. Generally, the selection of books printed by woman that are held at Western are fairly similar to the collection as a whole. The women who printed them worked in Europe and North America mostly in major cities, as did many of the male printers whose work is at Western (for a more precise look at the geography of women’s print at Western consult the exhibition map here). For the most part, the women printers’ work followed similar lines of genre and content as that of their male peers. The technology and design of their work was in line with works of their male contemporaries as well.

Why then does it matter that the books were created by women? By leaving their mark on the printed works that they created, the women whose pieces are included in this exhibition gave us a window into their lives and careers. Without consideration of women in print, we relegate their stories, networks, and artistry to oblivion and erase their important contributions to the field.

The books included in this exhibition do not constitute the entirety of the woman printed materials in Western’s collection. Several more texts have been identified already and there will likely be more found as research progresses. It is worth noting that the texts in this exhibition were found because women made themselves known in the form of colophons or printer’s notes bearing their names. As women often worked as compositors, rag pickers, and print runners whose names would not have been included anywhere on final printed works, it is likely that the labour of women stands behind a much greater portion of Western’s collection than we are currently aware of.

On the Health of the Merchant Seaman HD8039.S42 G7563 1862 

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/1hdoga6/alma991019661609705163 

Though Gently PS3519.A346 T48 1930

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/1hdoga6/alma991044087189705163 

Laura and Francisca PS3519.A363L3

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/1hdoga6/alma991038006229705163 

Verse and Reverse PR9253 .V47 1921

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/1hdoga6/alma991034871679705163 

Institutionum, sive elementorum, D. Justiniani sacratissimi principis, libre quatuor  KJA1082.2 1542 

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991005855909705163 

Cl. Galeni de simplicium medicamentorum facultatibus libri undecim. R126.G34 1543 

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991010103609705163 

The institution of Christian religion BX9420 .I5 1634

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991031462849705163 

Sonnets PR2848.A2 B93 2012

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991045218822705163 

The ancient and present state of the county and city of Waterford : being a natural, civil, ecclesiastical, historical and topographical description thereof. DA990.W3 S6 

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991017847359705163 

Elements of Criticism PN81 .K3 1762

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991021549709705163 

Broadside NX1.B763

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991012180809705163 

Anecdotes, bon-mots, and characteristic traits of the greatest princes PN6260 .A214

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991031031719705163 

Delaware Indian and English spelling book, for the schools of the mission of the United Brethern PM1033 .Z45 1806

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991000224319705163 

A true copy of the last will and testament of Her Grace, Sarah DA462.M4 A3 1744

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991017387059705163 

The Fly Fisher’s Guide SH451 .B25

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991029077739705163 

A Brief Account of the Rise and Progress of the People Called Quakers BX7630 .P4 1769

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991017270669705163 

History of the Most Noble Order of the Garter CR4827 .J7

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991016943829705163 

The Method of Teaching And Studying Les Belles Lettres LB475.R7 A4 1742

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991022135309705163 

Essays PR1365 .E7

https://ocul-uwo.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_UWO/r0c2m8/alma991023172119705163