Basel old printed books of 15–16th centuries in the Department of Old Printedand Rare Editions of V. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine

Abstract

The article underlines the role of Basel in the history of West European bookprinting and reviews the copies of Basel old printed editions, deposited in V. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine. High emphasis is put on characteristics of Basel editions, printed by J. Amerbach, Frobens, J. Oporin, H. Petri and others. Among others, editions of works of Erasmus of Rotterdam, G. Agricola, L. Fuchs, S. Münster, G. Cardano are examined. Descriptions of editions are accompanied by information on features of book owners, bindings, text design and physical condition of copies. When appropriate, the number of each edition in bibliographical reference-books is inserted. The most detailed descriptions are made for incunables, i. e. editions of 15th century, and palaeotypes – editions of the fi rst half of 16th century – on various subjects. Undoubtedly interesting are copies of Basel editions of the second half of 16th century, for instance: «About Mining and Metallurgy», Moscovia descriptions etc. The article is supplemented with
numerous illustrations.