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“The Prowest baillies and Counsall upon dyvers gude considerationnes gives and grantis to Eduard Raban printer induellar in this burghe Ane pensioun of fourtie pundis yeirlie”.

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Explore some of the volumes by Edward Raban held by the University of Aberdeen's Library, Special Collections and Museums a partner in Raban400.
Theses Philosophicae is the first book printed in Aberdeen in July 1622.  Raban produced it within weeks of his arrival in the town. ​ It contains Master theses which were to be defended that summer.
Raban's edition of the poetry of Alexander Craig of Craig-Rose (Banff) printed for David Melvill, bookseller in Aberdeen 1623.
Raine from the Clouds, a theological work, by Andrew Logie, Parson of Raine and Archdeacon of Aberdeen.  It contains the original, uncracked Town Arms.  Printed by Raban in 1624.
The First Blast of the Trumpet (or the dangers to Christian States) by Hay of Naughton.  Printed by Raban in 1627, it was a not uncontroversial book, provoking the ire of the Archbishop of St Andrews.
Thomas Tynne's Silver Watchbell was one of the most popular devotion texts of the first half of the seventeenth century.  Raban printed it in 1627, the seventeenth impression of the work.
Raban's Almanacs were the most successfully and highly regarded in Scotland.  His first was for 1623 and started an Aberdeen tradition of almanac printing that continued to the 1950s. 
Raban's Psalter printed in 1633 is one of the jewels of the collection.  He established a strong reputation for printing music and the tone settings (such as 'Bon Accord') included in the Psalter represent a key element of the volume.
Bishop Patrick Forbes was instrumental in bring Raban to Aberdeen and the printed genuinely mourned him.  Raban printed the funeral orations and epitaphs for Forbes in 1635, including his own tribute, Raban's Regrate. 
Duplyes was the volume written by the 'Aberdeen Doctors' as a response to the National Covenant.  It was printed by Raban in 1638 and contains an interesting 'Escapes in the printing' or errata list.  
Despite Aberdeen being strongly against the National Covenant, Raban was obliged to print it in 1643 when the Solemn League required every adult to sign it. 
Dr William Guild was one of the most prominent scholars and preachers in Aberdeen at the time.  A number of his works were printed by Edward Raban include his Antidote agaynst Poperie in 1639.
The final book that Edward Raban produced was another work by Dr William Guild.  It was printed in 1649, the year Raban retired and passed on the role of Town and University Printer to James Brown.  

Robert Baron's Philosophia Theologiæ Ancillans: Raban in St Andrews

Edward Raban left Edinburgh for St Andrews around Whisun 1620.  He remained there for two year before moving north of Aberdeen in the early summer of 1622.  He printed a number of volumes in St Andrews including this volume for Dr Robert Baron, Minister of Keith in Banffshire who would become part of Raban's circle when he moved to Aberdeen

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R A B A N  D E P I C T A
A cabinet of curiosities

Raban's colophons*, devices and ornaments

​* scroll down to discover what a colophon is.

A colophon is a publisher's emblem or imprint, usually on the title page of a book.

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RABAN AT THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND

We are grateful to our friends at the National Library of Scotland for permission to share images of their collection of the works of Edward Raban.

UNDERSTANDING BOOKS

The Laird of Letters

Edward Raban often like to refer to himself as the 'Laird of Letters'.  Here you can find some of the earlier printed works that deal with Raban and Aberdeen printing history.

The Aberdeen Printers: from Edward Raban to James Nichol 1620-1736 by J.P. Edmond

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The early career of Edward Raban, afterwards first printer in Aberdeen by E. Gordon Duff

Contains many useful details but also some which have been surpassed by more modern research
Raban 400 is a partnership involving Robert Gordon University, the University of Aberdeen Special Collections, Peacock & the Worm, and Aberdeen City Council Library and Information Service. It has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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