Title page for Joan van Beverwyck, Alle de wercken, zo in de medicyne als chirurgie, Amsterdam, J.J. Schipper (publisher) 1656Fragment of title page with cartouche of a deer hunt, bordered by swans, printed by the widow of Jan Jacobsz. Schipper
Schipper was born to Jacob Claesz. and Neeltje Leyen in Amsterdam. The surname Schipper is in fact a pseudonym derived from his father’s work as a skipper, and his actual surname is Dommekracht, or Dommescracht.[1]
Not much is known about Schipper’s early life, however he was registered to the Amsterdam bookseller’s guild on 28 October 1636, and married Suzanna Veselaers on 27 August 1650.[2] In 1673 his widow started a printing house with Joseph Athias.[3]
Work
Schipper was best known as the publisher of Calvin, De Brune, and particularly for Cats’ complete works. He was also an accomplished translator of French prose, and a theatre poet in his own right. His most successful works are two plays about the “incomparable” Ariane, which featured the first woman to perform in Amsterdam theatre, Ariane Nooseman.[4]
