Problems of Attributing the Publications of the Old Believer Ovchinnikov Printer

This article is dedicated to the problem of attributing publications illegal Old Believer printers in second half nineteenth century: such do not have bibliographical data or false information about place publication. At centre author’s attention largest and longest-running printing company market that belonged brothers Ovchinnikov. For from eighteenth early centuries, main element which allows us attribute a book this printer decoration; however, criterion insufficient for books century. merchants were publishers centuries; they placed their orders rather large companies with an established set decorations. Even started at end century, followed tradition using individual distinctive ornamentation. In peasants townsmen books. Lacking sufficient funds due character activities, small mobile, printed on cheap paper order lower pro-duction costs. With only rare exceptions, decoration was rich: either it absent general there typeset If did headpieces, different used same models. As such, ornamentation cannot be as universal indicator these publications, although can part indicators. Fonts play role defining edition, but neces-sary create reference guide fonts if practically. reflects results analysis decorative elements Ovchinnikov printer. Very many great variety simultaneously. According indirect data, date 1860s. They might initially taken sammelbände since type changes along fonts. However, integrity text during transition one font next undermines assumption. The poses question how explain peculiarities publications. There no one-dimensional answer. author makes some suggestions: possible point dispersed, several presses houses. When comparatively volume produced, material shared out separate press-es. hypothesis provokes question: why blocks follow each other sequence? contains examples printer’s artistic identified.