About 30 years after the invention of printing in the middle of the 15th century, the first book was printed in Denmark, in 1482. The first printers in Denmark were German. They were invited in order to see to the printing of large texts in Latin that were to be used at the Catholic mass. Together with these books printed at the request of the Church, they also published more popular books in Danish.

The first printers were travelling artisans. After the Protestant Reformation in 1536 the great majority of books were printed in Copenhagen. A few printing presses were found outside the capital in the 16th and 17th centuries. One of them was established by the astronomer Tycho Brahe on the island of Hven.

Most of the books printed in the 16th century were in Latin, but the amount of books in Danish grew steadily. Reading skills among common people became more widespread, a development which gathered momentum in the 17th century. German (and in the 18th century French) was also frequently used.

As national library the Royal Library aims at a collection of Danish books that is as complete as possible. Each of the books shown here are milestones in the history of Danish printing – from the late Middle Ages to the 19th century.