Johann Bämler

Johann Bämler, also written as Baemler, Bemler, and Hans, was a printer, illuminator, and bookseller from Augsburg, Germany. It the Augsburg tax he is listed as a scribe from 1453 and from 1477 as a printer, although he started his printing career in 1472. He was a member and Zwollfer (director) of the guild of painters, glassmakers, woodcut-makers, and goldbeaters. His first works dates from 1457, and from 1466 till 1468 he rubricated and decorated with calligraphic and painted ornament four books printed in Strasbourg.

Bämler’s first dated printed book, Lehr und Unterweisung, appeared in April 1472, and his first illustrated book, Summa Confessorum, the following September. Until his publication ceased in 1495 there was about 120 editions from his press. Of these 94 are German works, often illustrated with woodcuts.