Matilde Malaspina

Hernando Colón bibliophile and bibliographer. The «Adverte» notes in the <em>Libro de los epítomes</em>

Introduction

Hernando colón bibliophile and bibliographer. The «adverte» notes in the <em>libro de los epítomes</em>. Explore Hernando Colón's "Adverte" notes in his Libro de los epítomes. This article reveals Colón's bibliographical insights, knowledge management, and library organization practices.

Abstract

This article discusses a group of handwritten marginal notes of bibliographical content found in the fair copy of the Libro de los epítomes, one of the catalogues and inventories developed by Hernando Colón (1488-1539) for the management of his library. After contextualizing the manuscript and the place of the epítomes within Colón’s knowledge management system, the article describes the features of the six notes and proposes their attribution to Hernando Colón himself. It then offers an examination of the six cases, which deal with uncertain authorships, multiple editions of the same text, incomplete copies, and with a variety of textual contents. The article sheds new light on the content of the collection, on the epitomes intended as a knowledge-management tool and on the processes of their elaboration, as well as on Colón’s interests and involvement in the organization of his library.

Review

This article offers a fascinating and meticulously detailed examination of the "Adverte" marginal notes found within Hernando Colón's *Libro de los epítomes*, a crucial document for understanding early modern bibliographical practices and knowledge organization. The study effectively contextualizes these notes within Colón's broader system for managing his immense library, immediately establishing their significance. By proposing the attribution of these handwritten annotations to Colón himself, the article opens up new avenues for understanding his personal engagement with his collection and his intellectual approach to bibliographical control. This central argument, backed by a thorough description and analysis of the notes, forms the bedrock of the article's significant contribution. The strength of this work lies in its precise descriptive analysis and the systematic examination of the six "Adverte" cases. The abstract promises a deep dive into issues such as uncertain authorships, multiple editions, and incomplete copies, all of which are highly relevant to the challenges faced by early modern bibliographers. By shedding light on these specific instances, the article not only illuminates the content of Colón's collection but also provides invaluable insights into the practical processes of elaborating the *epitomes* as a sophisticated knowledge-management tool. This granular detail reveals Colón's personal interests, his critical evaluation of texts, and his profound involvement in the meticulous organization of his library, moving beyond a simple collector to a discerning bibliographer. Overall, this article makes a substantial contribution to the fields of library history, the history of bibliography, and early modern intellectual history. It not only enhances our understanding of Hernando Colón as a pivotal figure but also provides a window into the advanced conceptual and practical strategies employed in an era before standardized cataloguing. The focus on the "Adverte" notes offers a fresh and compelling perspective on the development of bibliographical discourse and the innovative approaches to knowledge organization in the Renaissance. This well-researched and insightful piece is highly recommended for scholars interested in the history of books, libraries, and the intellectual culture of the sixteenth century.

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