Nomenclator - 1583

              Junius’ Nomenclator, first published in 1567, was composed from the beginning as a multilingual work—intended for users encountering both classical and vernacular texts and geared toward education. The entries are still ordered by Latin—Latin word with Latin definition, followed by equivalents in other languages (German, Flemish (Belgian), French, Spanish, Italian, Greek, or Hebrew). The organization of this volume owes more to earlier topical word lists and reference books. This 1583 edition also stresses its academic nature by boasting a list of authoritative texts consulted during the research of the volume, and a key to the languages that are included. This type of apparatus also arose in other contemporary types of reference books. The concern with clarity for reference is also reflected in the complex typography of the volume. Entries are organized by Latin words which are given—along with their definition—in roman typeface. Small caps are used for the abbreviations that identify other languages. In addition to the Greek and Hebrew entries set in typefaces devised for their own alphabets.  Italic and gothic typefaces were used to distinguish between vernacular languages, with German and Flemish words set in gothic type and French, Spanish, Italian, and English set in italics. Apart from the anomalous setting of English, it appears to be using typography to separate Germanic from Romance modern languages.

References and Further Reading:

Considine, John. 2008. Dictionaries in early modern Europe: lexicography and the making of heritage. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Organization:

The book is organized by subject, with entries given by Latin name within topic. Entries are given in roman type. Small capitals are used for language names. German and Belgian (Flemish) examples are set in black letter (gothic); French, Spanish, Italian, and English are in roman. Italics are used for citations to authors. Greek is set in its own Greek type.

Bibliographic Information

Imprint

Antverpiæ : Ex officina Christophori Plantini, 1583.

Condition

Book has been rebound in red leather, with marbled page edges and pastedowns, likely 19^th century. It is in good condition, with a few small stains and holes that obscure a letter or small word.

Collation

8^o: π¹ (flyleaf), †⁴ (2, 3 signed), A-Z⁸, a-i⁸ (5$, -i3-5) [i6-8 wanting]