Conception, dimension and structure of the Gesnerian Bibliotheca Universalis (1545): bibliographical glosses from its Epistola Nuncupatoria

• Autor(a) principal: Araujo, Andre Vieira de Freitas
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Encontros Bibli
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/eb/article/view/76345
• topic: Bibliotheca Universalis(1545); Epistola Nuncupatoria[f. 2r -[7r]]; Bibliografia; História e Teoria; Organização do Conhecimento; Séc. XVI; Bibliotheca Universalis(1545); Epistola Nuncupatoria[f. 2r -[7r]]; Bibliography; History and Theory; Organization of Knowledge; 16th Century

Objective: Map, present and discuss the conception, dimension and documentary structure of Bibliotheca Universalis (1545), by Conrad Gesner (1516-1565), from its preface, called Epistola Nuncupatoria. Methods: Under the historical-bibliographic horizon, the study is developed through: 1) reading and full translation of Epistola Nuncupatoria, which occupies the interval between the folios 2r and [7r] of Bibliotheca Universalis; 2) the relationship between the Latin text of the Epistola and the gesnerian bibliographical studies, notably Serrai (1990) and Sabba (2012). Results: In Epistola Nuncupatoria, Conrad Gesner exposes the conception, dimension and documentary structure of Bibliotheca Universalis (1545), since it surpasses: 1) its scope and objectives; 2) its use by readers; 3) bibliographical losses and destruction; 4) dynamics of production and circulation of printed books; 5) authorial scope; 6) ordering sources; 7) news about the researched libraries; 8) typology and coverage of the sources adopted for its composition. The bibliographical repertoire results from a long effort and individual dedication, but Gesner emphasizes that it paved the way for other scholars to transmit the books to posterity - a desire that is consolidated in the Epitomi of Bibliotheca Universalis. Conclusions: Understood and read as a set of mediating and memorialistic arguments, Epistola Nuncupatoria forms a rich corpus that manifests and synthesizes Conrad Gesner's reflection and self-awareness about his work methods, which, strictly speaking, form the substrate of the gesture and the bibliographical method