The print clock: a method for dating early books and prints

S. Blair Hedges, Pennsylvania State University, has developed an imaginative and intriguing
“method for dating undated books and prints produced by hand-operated presses, thus
since the 15th century.”

At least in the western world. In Korea, China, and Japan, hand-operated presses (using
moveable type) were doing printing since around 650. (For example, there is a fine
finished book, integrating text and image, printed in China is 860, reproduced in part in
Beautiful
Evidence, p. 87.) It appears that the method would apply to that work as well. at least if
multiple printings were made using the same woodblock illustrations.

Here is the technical report, which is very well-designed, posted on the internet, with
links to the published articles.