Written by Heinrich Schreiber
Printed by Johann Stuchs for Lucas Alants (Wien, 1518)
Wolffgang Schweicker was the earliest German author to follow the 'methods of Venice' of Pacioli and Manzoni.
This book was the first dealing with bookkeeping to appear in Germany. There are no signs of Italian teaching but it was reprinted. Many times.
![Ayn new kunstlich Buech, welches gar gewiss und behend lernet nach der gemainen regel Detre, welschen practic, regeln falsi un[d] etliche[n] regeln Cosse mancherlay schöne un[d] zuwissen notürfftig rechnu[n]g auff kauffmanschafft. Auch nach den proportion der kunst des gesanngs](https://www.icaew.com/-/media/corporate/images/library/library-collection/rare-books/kunstich-buech.ashx?mw=1600)
In spite of the great commercial importance of the German towns of the Hanseatic League, Germany remained far behind other European countries in its methods of accounting. This book by Schreiber does not show the least acquaintance with double-entry.
This article was originally prepared by the library team in the mid-twentieth century to introduce the rare books and facsimiles in our collection to a wider audience. It is not intended as a piece of scholarly analysis and should not be read as such.
Historical Accounting Literature
The ICAEW collection of historical accounting literature currently comprises over 4,000 volumes and includes works published from the 15th century to the early 20th century. The collection includes books and journals in a variety of languages.
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