Benedetti Printing House

The History of the Benedetti Printing House

Our headquarters are located in Pescia, an enchanting town steeped in history in the province of Pistoia, nestled within the lush, green Valdinievole valley. This geographical position favored the local paper mills, enabling them to manufacture high-quality paper at competitive prices. So much so that the Florentine Francesco Cenni took advantage of it to produce 'The Confessions of Saint Bernardino of Siena' in our workshop. This was the first book printed in the first printing house of Pescia, an event preserved for posterity by the inscription of the same name proudly displayed on the walls of our workshop's entrance. It was February 28, 1485.

This testimony adds even greater value to the history of our printing house. Following Gutenberg's presentation of the first 42-line Bible at the Frankfurt Fair between 1454 and 1455—an event made possible thanks to the presence of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, the future Pope Pius II—the earliest printing houses began to emerge in Italy. The first was established in Subiaco in 1465, the second in Foligno in 1472, and our own during that very same period. As a result, our workshop stands as a truly significant historical testament within the wider heritage of the art of printing

Since that time, while much water has flowed under the bridge, our printing house has never stopped its activity. And it remains active to this day. In more recent times, illustrious figures such as Gabriele D’Annunzio, Giacomo Puccini, Lorenzo Viani, and the Florentine-adopted writer and poet Adolfo Oxilia experienced our workshop firsthand. They shaped, lived, and shared their works side by side with the Master Printer Artidoro Benedetti, and later with our father, his apprentice.

Stepping into the printing house is a truly magical experience. These rooms exude history, experience, art, and life lived. The scents evoke the typical atmosphere of the Renaissance Florentine artisan and art workshops that made Italy famous and envied throughout the world.

Ink runs through our veins and the sound of the machinery is our soundtrack—a passion passed down to us by our father Gino, who entered the workshop as a mere fifteen-year-old apprentice under the direct guidance of Master Artidoro. As a sign of respect and gratitude, once he became the sole owner, he chose to keep the Benedetti name in the printing house's title.

Artidoro was a true mentor to our father. He passed down to him not only all his knowledge and secrets, but above all, that passion, enthusiasm, discipline, and perseverance required for a print to elevate itself into a true work of art.

The business has always flourished. The printing house has always been widely renowned because, alongside commercial printing, it has constantly kept the passion for fine art prints alive. It has produced works for leading publishing houses and delivered products with a highly sophisticated and elegant design.

In our production today, we still maintain a deep respect for classic methodologies, following the original techniques of printing processes. Even as we adapt to technological advancements in machinery, our attention to detail and to the prestige of the works produced remains remarkably high.

"In 2008, we inaugurated the ‘Permanent Exhibition of Printing Machinery’, which remains open to the public today. We possess a collection of typefaces, in both lead and wood, dating back over 150 years and still fully functional. We regularly host museum visits for enthusiasts and connoisseurs, both Italian and international, individuals and groups, schools, public entities, and trade associations. Our goal is to share our passion with them, immersing them in an ideal journey through a time machine that leads to the discovery of an enchanted world.

To keep the memory and presence of our father alive, we have createdB42 Gutenberg Italia – Centro Culturale ‘Gino Necciari’ "“Maestro Stampatore” [Master Printer], a free association with the aim of safeguarding our entire artistic heritage, spreading the history of printing worldwide, and reviving the enduring value of works created using printing techniques from the past that remain highly sought-after today.

further information : www.stamperiabenedetti.it

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