Global Networks in the Atlantic Book Market (Booksellers and Inquisitors in the Spanish Empire)

Abstract

From the second half of the sixteenth century onwards, Atlantic book trade grew exponentially, thanks to the spread of international merchant networks. In Mexico City, the increase in commercial activity in the book market was channelled by merchants highly connected with these international networks throughout their Spain-based agents. Inquisitorial documents and notarial records constitute an excellent source of information about their activity. The application of methods from Social Network Analysis allows us to reconstruct and measure trade on both sides of the Atlantic, describing market strategies, distribution channels, partners, and interaction with political and religious authorities.