O negócio do livro e suas estratégias: o desenvolvimento do comércio livreiro no Rio de Janeiro e no Recife no início do século XIX (1830-1840)

Abstract

The relocation of the Portuguese Royal Family in 1808 marked the beginning of a modernization process driven by the need not only to manage governmental institutions but also to support the over 10,000 Portuguese who embarked alongside the royal entourage. The first half of the 19th century was characterized by the dynamization of political, social, and cultural dimensions. During this period, the book trade in Brazil grew through the establishment of specialized stores, especially after Independence, as evidenced by advertisements published in newspapers. In this context, this thesis aims to investigate, analyze, and understand, from a comparative perspective, the strategic decisions, practices, and entrepreneurial profiles of booksellers established between 1830 and 1840 in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Recife, considering their decisive role in the formation and consolidation of the book market in the following decades. The analysis highlights the participation of foreign booksellers who brought expertise and management practices, often rooted in traditional family knowledge, and their dissemination among local booksellers, seeking to deeply understand the strategies, decisions, and practices that energized the book trade in 19th-century Brazil.