Nigerian school stakes claim to have set up Africa's first printing press

The Hope Waddell Training Institution, a school in Nigeria founded in 1895 by Presbyterian missionaries, is laying claim to have set up Africa's oldest press. But could it be so?Hope Waddell, in Calabar, Cross River State, had a functioning printing press from 1903, initially to serve the school but later used to print newspapers. In an interview with Nigeria's Daily Trust, the school's principal, Edet Inyang, was unequivocal: "Our school had the first printing press in Africa."According to Wikipedia a large Wharfedale flat-bed printing press, donated by "friends in Scotland" was still in use in 1960. But another Wikipedia entry, about the development of media in Sierra Leone, states that although the first printing press in Africa, which arrived in Freetown in 1794, was destroyed by a French raiding party, another one became operational in 1800.And a paper on printing presses in sub-Saharan Africa, published last year (July 2013) by Julia Cagé and Valeria Rueda, contends that several mission societies acquired presses in Cape Colony between the 1820s and the 1870s.And, they write, the Methodists acquired a printing press in Grahamstown in the 1830s while the Anglicans set up presses at several places in the eastern Cape in the 1860s and 1870s.So Hope Waddell's claim to printing fame looks rather shaky. On the other hand, to be using a flat-bed printing press as late as 1960 must be some kind of record. More of a last than a first, perhaps. Sources: Daily Trust/Wikipedia... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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‘Eat, pray, pander’: mixed reactions after Elizabeth Gilbert pulls Russia-set novel

Author’s decision to remove The Snow Forest from publication because of Russia-Ukraine war sparks intense debateMixed reactions have met the decision by the US novelist Elizabeth Gilbert to withdraw her forthcoming novel The Snow Forest from publication after receiving criticism for its Russian... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-06-13 13:48:07 UTC ]
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Pundits Weigh in on Gilbert's Decision to Pull Russian-Set Novel Over Ukrainian Backlash

While many authors and critics condemned Elizabeth Gilbert's choice to pull her forthcoming novel 'The Snow Forest' from Riverhead's publishing schedule, two contrary statements from PEN America and the Authors Guild show there is no consensus over the controversy. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Coffee House Press Names Executive Editor and Makes Additional Hires

Coffee House Press in Minneapolis is building up its staff after 30% of its employees resigned this past month. Jeremy Davies was named executive editor and three Texas booksellers have also recently joined the press. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Facing Challenges as a School Librarian

Courtney Pentland will begin her role as the 2023–2024 president of the American Association of School Librarians following the official close of the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago on June 27; we spoke with Pentland about how she plans to support her fellow librarians—and encourage pre-service... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Large Print for Readers Young and Old

Thorndike Press is expanding its library of large-print titles with an eye to helping young readers develop and succeed. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The Heartland's Scholarly Presses Look Past the Ivory Tower

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Print Book Sales Declined 6.1% Last Week

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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With ‘And Then He Sang a Lullaby,’ a Young Nigerian Novelist Commits to ‘Queer Resistance’

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[ The New York Times | 2023-06-05 16:02:45 UTC ]
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Print Book Sales Fell 5.5% Last Week

More softness in all categories except adult fiction and the lack of big new titles combined to drop unit sales of print books 5.5% last week compared to the week ended May 28, 2022, at outlets that report to Circana BookScan. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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A Texas school found the most horrifying way to use public domain Winnie-the-Pooh.

When I saw the trailer for Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, I thought we’d reached the nadir of public domain-enabled re-imaginings, but it turns out, it can get much, much more horrifying than a low-budget slasher. Like a picture book in which the beloved bear must face a school shooter.... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-05-30 16:28:26 UTC ]
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Illinois set to become first state to end book bans

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[ The Guardian | 2023-05-30 10:00:33 UTC ]
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Print Book Sales Dropped 5.7% Last Week

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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With a Boost from Adult Fiction, Print Book Sales Rose 1.3% Last Week

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Florida School District Is Sued Over Book Restrictions

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[ The New York Times | 2023-05-17 17:45:29 UTC ]
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PEN America and Penguin Random House Sue School District Over Book Bans

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[ Book Riot | 2023-05-17 16:28:56 UTC ]
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Wave of Resignations Rocks Coffee House Press

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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PEN America, Penguin Random House Sue Florida School District Over 'Unconstitutional' Book Bans

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Sask. Cree journalist Connie Walker wins Pulitzer Prize for residential school podcast

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[ CBC | 2023-05-08 23:02:08 UTC ]
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Cracking the Case with the History Press

The popular imprint of Arcadia Publishing brings fascinating regional true crime stories to light. Sponsored Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

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Otto Penzler Sets Up Shop at ThrillerFest

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