Early Printed Atlases: Shaping Plato's 'Forms into Bibliographic Descriptions

摘要

[Look] beyond the Smoak of [your] own Chimneys -John Locke (1690). Essay Concerning Human Understanding Plato's Theory of Forms asserts that "Forms" (or "Ideas"), not the material world, possess the most ;fundamental form of reality. This concept can be applied, in part, when describing and cataloging early printed atlases, as many of these atlases do not fit the traditional definition of an ideal copy (Form) or bibliographic manifestation.1 What the printer/publisher/bookseller had in mind as the ideal copy of an atlas may never have existed in reality. A comprehensive survey of the printing or publication history of an atlas would be the most efficacious method to determine an ideal copy. Unfortunately, exercising this option is oftentimes a very difficult, if not impossible, task. An alternate option is to turn to descriptive bibliographies. When it is not possible to accomplish comprehensive surveys or consult descriptive bibliographies, one further option is to provide a unique description of the atlas in hand. A unique and analytical description of an atlas can serve a number of important functions: It more accurately describes the holdings of institutions. It will aid users in finding the material. It can provide added security against possible loss or theft.