Lienhart Holl

Lienhart Holl was a publisher based in Ulm, Germany.

As the third printer of the city, Holl began his career producing woodcut playing cards. This soon expanded into the printing of bound books.

In 1482, Holl began plans to publish his own edition of Claudius Ptolemy’s ‘Geographia’. He intended to include six extra maps of Spain, France, Italy, Palestine, and Northern Europe on top of the twenty-six originals. The book was the first printed world atlas produced outside of Italy.

However, the venture proved ruinously expensive, and his business went bankrupt shortly after publication. As a result of unpaid debts, Holl was forced to flee the city. The remaining sheets, woodblocks and types were passed to Johann Reger, who reissued the work in 1486.