The Race to Write a History of Naples
The lifelong rivalry of two early modern Neapolitan printers was a battle of books, power, and, ultimately, fire.
There was no love lost between rival Neapolitan authors and publishers Domenico Antonio Parrino (1642-c.1716) and Antonio Bulifon (1649-1707). Their rivalry had many sides: firstly, they competed for the privilege of publishing the local Gazzette, the only newspaper in Naples sanctioned by the Spanish authorities, which since 1684 had been in Parrino’s hands. With the Gazzette came also the exclusive on almanacs and calendars and the economic advantage of being able to advertise other upcoming publications. But more than the economic advantages, holding the privilege for the Gazzette meant status and political influence. The pair were also in competition for the publication and distribution of the newly established genre of the travel guide; and they went head-to-head in trying to be the first to publish a history of the city of Naples covering their own time, during which it was under Spanish rule. The commercial success of other histories of the city demonstrated public interest in the subject, and both publishers were determined to be the first to capitalise on it.
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