I.
| Record ID | cp013073 |
| Voet reference number | 1255 |
| Museum Plantin-Moretus | |
| Author | Joannes GOROPIUS (GEERTSZONE or GERARTSEN VAN GORP) BECANUS |
| Title page transcription | OPERA ‖ IOAN. GOROPII ‖ BECANI, ‖ Hactenus in lucem non edita: ‖ nempe, [Enumeration of the 'books' on two columns; left column:] HERMATHENA, ‖ HIEROGLYPHICA, ‖ VERTVMNVS, [Right column:] GALLICA, ‖ FRANCICA, ‖ HISPANICA. ‖ ⊕ 24 ‖ ANTWERPIÆ, ‖ Excudebat Christophorus Plantinus, ‖ Architypographus Regius. ‖ CIↃ. IↃ. LXXX. |
| Collation | Folio (324 × 205): pages [1-4] |
| Fingerprint | 158002 - # 1a1 A2 am$ : # 1a2 B e$ - # 1b1 a m : # 1b2 v4 rdiu - # 2a1 §2 s$ad : # 2a2 §5 $a - # 2b1 2A m : # 2b2 2Z3 Patre - # 3a1 +2 rat : # 3a2 +3 alibu - # 3b1 Aa $t : # 3b2 Kk3 omin - # 4a1 q3 al : # 4a2 q4 ter$ - # 4b1 2a $ : # 4b2 2n5 ntiqu - # 5a1 |
| Number of sheets | 278 |
| Pages | [1]: Title [2]: Blank [3]: illustration (portrait of Goropius) [4]: Epitaphium Ioan. Goropii Becani Traiecti ad Mosam |
| Edition information | |
| Copies | |
| Bibliographical references | Adams G-876 |
| Online bibliographical references | STCV c:stcv:12917031USTC 414243 |
| Further reading |
II.
| Title page transcription | HERMATHENA ‖ IOANNIS GOROPII ‖ BECANI. ‖ ⊕ 28 ‖ ANTVERPIAE, ‖ Ex officina Christophori Plantini ‖ Architypographi Regij. ‖ CIϽ. IϽ. LXXX. |
| Collation | Folio [257]: A⁸ (A⁵ numbered A⁴) -B⁶, a-v⁶; pages 1-13, [14-28], 1-237, [238-240] (Errors: 5-6-7-8 for 7-8-9-10, 156 for 134, 137 for 173) |
| Fingerprint | |
| Number of sheets | |
| Pages | [1]: Title [2]: Blank [3]-13: Benedicto Ariae Montano Livinus Torrentius signed by (1 July 1578, Liège; italic type, parts in roman type) [14-26]: Indices (on two columns; italic type, gothic type and greek type) [27]: Privilege ([of the complete work:] Brussels, 29 November 1574, s. I. de Witte) [28]: Blank [1]-237: Text (parts in italic type, gothic type, greek type and Hebrew; marginals in italic type, gothic type and greek type) [238]: approbation (21 August 1574, s. Ioh. Molanus) [239-240]: Blank |
| Edition information | |
| Copies | |
| Bibliographical references | |
| Online bibliographical references | |
| Further reading |
III.
| Title page transcription | HIEROGLYPHICA ‖ IOANNIS GOROPII ‖ BECANI. ‖ ⊕ 24 ‖ ANTVERPIAE, ‖ Ex officina Christophori Plantini ‖ Architypographi Regij. ‖ CIϽ. IϽ. LXXX. |
| Collation | Folio [255]: §⁸, AA-YY⁶, ZZ⁴; pages [1-16], 1-270, [271-272] (Errors: 168 for 176) |
| Fingerprint | |
| Number of sheets | |
| Pages | [1]: Title [2]: illustration (coat-of-arms) [3-4]: Ornatissimo…viro Gasparo Studiero Zurchio, Christophorus Plantinus S.D. (Antwerp, 13 August 1580; italic type, words in roman type) [5-15]: Indices (on three columns; words in greek type and gothic type) [16]: Privilege ([of the complete work:] Brussels, 29 November 1574, signed by I. de Witte) 1-270: Text (parts in italic type, gothic type, greek type and Hebrew; marginals in italic type, gothic type and greek type) [271]: approbation (22 August 1574, s. Molanus) [272]: Blank |
| Edition information | |
| Copies | |
| Bibliographical references | |
| Online bibliographical references | |
| Further reading |
IV.
| Title page transcription | VERTVMNVS ‖ IOANNIS GOROPII ‖ BECANI. ‖ ⊕ 27 ‖ ANTVERPIAE, ‖ Ex officina Christophori Plantini ‖ Architypographi Regij. ‖ CIϽ. IϽ. LXXX. |
| Collation | Folio [257]: †⁶, Aa-Ii⁶, Kk⁴; pages [1-12], 1-114, [115-116] |
| Fingerprint | |
| Number of sheets | |
| Pages | [1]: Title [2]: illustration (coat-of-arms) [3-4]: Nobilitate…viro Arnoldo Flemingo Wineghemi domino, Christophorus Plantinus S.D [5-11]: Indices (on three columns; italic type, gothic type and greek type) [12]: Privilege ([of the complete work:] Brussels, 29 November 1574, signed by I. de Witte) 1-114: Text (parts and marginals in italic type, gothic type and greek type) 114: approbation (21 August 1574, s. Ioh. Molanus) [115-116]: Blank |
| Edition information | |
| Copies | |
| Bibliographical references | |
| Online bibliographical references | |
| Further reading |
V.
| Title page transcription | GALLICA ‖ IOANNIS GOROPII ‖ BECANI. ‖ ⊕ 27 ‖ ANTVERPIAE, ‖ Ex officina Christophori Plantini ‖ Architypographi Regij. ‖ CIϽ. IϽ. LXXX. |
| Collation | Folio [255]: ¶⁶, aa-mm⁶, nn⁸; pages [1-12], 1-159, [160] (Errors: 30?, 69 for 95) |
| Fingerprint | |
| Number of sheets | |
| Pages | [1]: Title [2]: Blank [3]: Nobilitate…viro Iacobo Taii D. de Goicken, Christophorus Plantinus S.D. (parts in italic type) [4-11]: Indices (on three columns; italic type, gothic type and greek type) [12]: Privilege ([of the complete work:] Brussels, 29 November 1574, signed by I. de Witte) 1-159: Text (parts in italic type, gothic type, greek type and Hebrew; marginals in italic type, gothic type and greek type) 159: approbation (21 August 1574, s. Ioh. Molanus) [160]: Blank |
| Edition information | |
| Copies | |
| Bibliographical references | |
| Online bibliographical references | |
| Further reading |
VI.
| Title page transcription | FRANCICA ‖ IOANNIS GOROPII ‖ BECANI. ‖ ⊕ 27 ‖ ANTVERPIAE, ‖ Ex officina Christophori Plantini ‖ Architypographi Regij. ‖ CIϽ. IϽ. LXXX. |
| Collation | Folio [255]: †⁶, aA-iI⁶; pages [1-12], 1-107, [108] (Errors: 98 for 100) |
| Fingerprint | |
| Number of sheets | |
| Pages | [1]: Title [2]: Blank [3-4]: Ad…regem Henricum III Franciae et Poloniae (s. Christoph. Plantinus) [5-11]: Index (on three columns; parts in gothic type and greek type) [12]: Privilege ([of the complete work:] Brussels, 29 November 1574, signed by I. de Witte) 1-107: Text (parts and marginals in italic type, gothic type and greek type) [108]: approbation (21 August 1574, s. Ioh. Molanus) |
| Edition information | |
| Copies | |
| Bibliographical references | |
| Online bibliographical references | |
| Further reading |
VII.
| Title page transcription | HISPANICA ‖ IOANNIS GOROPII ‖ BECANI. ‖ ⊕ 27 ‖ ANTVERPIAE, ‖ Ex officina Christophori Plantini ‖ Architypographi Regij. ‖ CIϽ. IϽ. LXXX. |
| Collation | Folio [255]: [*ⁱ], *⁶, A-K⁶; pages [1-14], 1-118, [119-120] |
| Fingerprint | |
| Number of sheets | |
| Pages | [1]: Title [2]: Privilege ([of the complete work:] Brussels, 29 November 1574, signed by I. de Witte) [3]: Ornatissimo…viro Corn. Prunio, Christophorus Plantinus, S. (Antwerp, 19 August 1580) [4]: Blank [5-14]: Indices (on three columns; italic type, gothic type and greek type) [1]-118: Text (parts in italic type, gothic type, greek type and Hebrew; marginals in italic type, gothic type and greek type) [119]: approbation (16 November 1574, s. Ioh. Molanus) [120]: Blank |
| Edition information | |
| Illustrations | 1º) First (introductory) part: A) Copper engraving: on page [3], 250 × 170: Portrait of Goropius Becanus, in half-length, the left hand on a skull, looking to the left (with the inscription, above: 'IOANNIS GOROPII BECANI EFFIGIES [decorative fleuron]'; cut by Joannes Wiericx, who received on 2 September 1580 [Arch. 14] 24 florins Carolus guilders 'de la figure de Becanus'); B) Woodcut, on page [4], 110 × 150: the epitaph on Goropius's tomb at Maastricht 2º) 3rd part, Hieroglyphica: A) Copper engravings: 1) two illustrations, 246 × 154, on pages 38 and 39, showing the circus at Rome; 2) 1 illustration, 110 × 96, and 1 illustration, 78 × 105, on page 49, showing respectively an antique statuette of Harpocrates, son of Isis, and two amulets showing Harpocrates; B) Woodcuts: 1) Coat-of-arms of the family Studler, 82 × 73, on page [2]; 2) 41 illustrations of varying dimensions, showing Egyptian gods and archaeological, allegorical or symbolical representations: on pages 106-107-108-109-110 (= 13 representations of Egyptian gods), 114, 136, 143, 152, 156, 159, 164, 169, 172, 175, 178, 180, 184, 185, 209, 213, 215, 217, 218, 225, 228, 232, 234, 239, 243, 246 (= the two sides of the seal of Emperor Heraclius), 250 3º) 4th part, Vertumnus: Woodcut, c. 115 × c. 80, on page [2]: coat-of-arms of the family Flemingus 4º) 6th part, Francica: Woodcuts on page 94 (6 reproductions of Roman coins; circular; varying dimensions) and page 95 (135 × 72: plant) |
| Variants | Variants in Introductory Part: A. As described (Museum Plantin-Moretus, A 293). B. On title-page: ANTVERPIÆ (instead of ANTWERPIÆ) (KBR Royal Library of Belgium, VB 7388c). C. On title-page: ANTVERPIAE. Illustration on page [3]: portrait replaced by another, showing Goropius Becanus at half-length, with left hand on skull but looking to the right; inscription: 'IOAN. GOROPII BECANI EFFIGIES'. This engraving, however, is pasted onto the page. Printed underneath is a small poem by B. Arias Montanus (KBR Royal Library of Belgium, VH 13459 c). |
| Copies | Museum Plantin-Moretus- A 293: variant AUniversity Library Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam- incomplete: part I missingKBR Royal Library of Belgium- VB 7388 c: variant B- VH 13459 c: variant CNot checked which variant: Heritage Library Hendrik Conscience AntwerpCambridgeGhent University LibraryBritish Library LondonBibliothèques de l'UMONSPostel AbbeyUtrecht University Library |
| Bibliographical references | Ruelens-de Backer, pages 216-217 (1580, no. 13) |
| Online bibliographical references | |
| Note 1 | Linguistic study in 6 'books' and an introductory part, each with a separate title-page and its own numeration. Detailed analysis of the content in Frederickx, pages 138-207. General presentation of the work, with details about its printing, financing, sale, etc.: Ibidem, pages 74-76. |
| Note 2 | Of the forewords by Plantin the one in Francica, to Henry III, has been reproduced in Corr., VI, no. 887. |
| Note 3 | In the general foreword to the work Livinus Torrentius explains that he and Gaspar Zurchius were asked by Goropius, at the latter's deathbed, to publish the not yet printed parts of his writings. This is also told by Plantin in a letter to Stephanus Winandus Pighius, 6 February 1574, in which the typographer states, moreover, that he expects to receive in the summer at least part of the manuscript from Torrentius (Corr., IV, no. 513: 'Becani opera non pauca supersunt, quae ille Testamento statuit, ut de Concilio Domini Archidiaconi Laevini Torrentii [cui ob id servanda commisit] mihi traderentur imprimenda. Is a Torrentius est mihi pollicitus, ea se hac aestate redditurum, si non omnia, saltem majorem partem. Inter ea vero est Hermathena, Vertumnus, Francisca, Hispanica ut intelligo absoluta, et interpretationes aliquot veterum Emblematum seu nummorum, quae praeterea non satis scio'). On 28 September 1574 Plantin could tell A. Le Roy that after many difficulties he had finally received from Goropius's heirs those parts of the works which at the death of the author were completely finished. The parts not yet completed remained with the heirs; it was not even permitted to have a look at them (Corr., IV, no. 559: 'Nunc vero postquam maximis difficultatibus ea Becani illius piae memoriae viri opera, quae dum viveret conscripsit et absolvit recepi, differre amplius nolui quin idem tibi vel unico verbo significarem. Eorum vero inscriptiones sunt Hermathena, Alphabetum seu Hieroglyphica, Vertumnus, Gallica, Francica, et Hispanica sex namque variis voluminibus ms. comprehensa: sunt ea opera quae vir ille doctiss. absolverat antiquam e vivis discederet. Inchoata vero ab haeredibus nullis rationibus extorquere potui imo ne videre quidem licent: neque valde moeror'; the letter gives other valuable details on the work and its publication. Cf. also Plantin's letter to de Seroskercke, 14-20 November 1574 [Corr., IV, no. 587]: 'J'ay ces jours passés recouvert le reste des oeuvres de feu Becanus achevees devant son trespas: desquelles selon mon humeur et petit entendement je fay plus d'estime apres les sainctes escrittures que de nulles autres de ce siecle…'). Joannes Molanus approved the content of the books on 21 August 1574 (= 5 of the 6 books) and 16 November 1574 (= the remaining Hispanica). Pierre de la Tombe, the Brussels bookseller who in those years often acted as middleman between Plantin and the central authorities to obtain privileges, mailed back on 6 December 1574 the manuscript of the 'livres de Becanus' to Plantin, adding that the privilege itself would soon follow (Corr., IV, no. 590). This privilege is dated 29 November 1574. |
| Note 4 | Everything was ready to start printing at the end of 1574, but for not clearly specified reasons the project was postponed for six years. On 1 July 1578 Torrentius wrote the dedicatory to Arias Montanus (but he never received an acknowledgement from his friend, as he stresses in a letter to Plantin of 10 October 1583 [Corr., VII, no. 1012, page 117]: 'Ipse Montanus jam annis aliquot nihil ad me scripsit, non ea quidem occasione quod Becani libris epistolam ei inscriptam praefixi'). But again more than a year passed before Plantin finally started printing. On 10 December 1579 he tells J. Buyssetius that he has on his presses 'Opera D. Becani numquam impressa in folio' (Corr., VI, no. 851, page 115). On 31 January 1580 he explains to Janus Dousa that the Hispanica (= being the last book) will be finished within 3 or 4 days, but that the introductory part remains to be set (Corr., VI, no. 860). In fact, a rather large part of the Opera was at that time not yet completed: Plantin in his letter of 1 April 1580 to Torrentius affirms that he was continuing the printing of Becanus till the end, which he thought would be within two months (Corr., VI, no. 872). Some parts, however, were still missing: on 14 April 1580 Plantin asks Torrentius for the 'Epitaphium Becani' (to be reproduced in the introductory part), and in a note of 25 June 1580 Plantin declares 'Prie [Torrentius] derechef pour la preface Operum Becani et pro Epitaphio ipsius Becani…' (Corr., IV, page 155, n. 7). The printer must have received the missing texts soon afterwards, as in October-December 1580 he could mail two copies to Arias Montanus (Corr., VI, no. 892). |
| Note 5 | The publication was partly subsidized by the heirs of Becanus. The physician had lent rather substantial sums to Plantin, which were not yet paid back in 1579. The tutors of the heirs of Becanus agreed on 1 October 1579 to remit from this loan the sum of 300 florins Carolus guilders 'et ce pour assistence et ayde de l'impression des oeuvres dudit Becanus'. As counterpart Plantin had to deliver to the heirs 50 copies of the Opera (Arch. 19, folio 11; cf. also the letter of Plantin to Charles Billoke [Corr., VII, no. 914]: '…mesmes les oeuvres de Becanus pour le soulagement de l'impression desquelles les heritiers nous ont donné en don cent et cinquante escus et presté autre cinq cents a rendre de la vente d'icelles'). |
| Note 6 | These Opera too were not exactly a best-seller: besides the 50 copies ceded to the heirs of Becanus, only 3 copies were sold in 1580 (Frederickx, page 76). In 1642 there were still 11 copies in stock in the Plantin Press (L. Voet, The Golden Compasses, II, page 459). |
| Note 7 | Listed in M 296, folio 2r ([Becani Jo. Goropii] Eiusdem opera nova fº omnia, Hermathena etc.; [price:] florins Carolus guilders 4 stuivers 10), Ms. 164, folio 4r, and M 321. |
| Further reading |