which are now to be republished in a new edition. And since in each case the
plausibility of the author's name which is indicated on a work can be judged
quite easily, without having to request testimonies from anyone, the printers
of a book must in future take the utmost care to ascertain the true name and
social standing of its author, so that the censors cannot be misled. In this
respect too, it is the conclusions of the censors which in the main are to
be followed.
Furthermore, given that for the purposes of attracting buyers,
brochures and books which appear in print are often furnished with satirical
vignettes, woodcuts etc., which weren't actually submitted for censorship
together with the manuscripts and in which very conspicuous and offensive
allusions occur - and given also that no less is it the case that amongst the
copper engravings which are offered for sale, sometimes very improper texts
have been inscribed into the engraving - the Supreme authority orders that
henceforth all wood and copper engravers, art dealers and publishers are
to always submit the first print to the book revision board, on pain of a
considerable punishment, and may not continue printing unless they have
received permission to do so.
Imperial decree of 18 April 1782.