When and where Brzezwicki’s Synonima Latina were published?

Abstract

Brzezwicki wrote two Polish-Latin dictionaries, but here Synonima Latina comes into focus. In various bibliographic studies information is provided about the existence of five editions of this dictionary: 1602, 1628, 1632, 1639, 1645; however, only three copies are currently known, two of which do not have title cards. The purpose of the study is to verify the publication dates and to indicate the printing house where Synonima was published (especially the first edition). The evidence provided by the author is based on the material obtained from the analysis of preserved copies of Synonima and confrontation with other dictionaries (Volckmar), Knapiusz’s account and documents from the era. Finally, the conclusion is reached by the author that the date of printing of the first edition should be postponed to the years 1610–1621 and Stanisław Giermański should be indicated as the publisher.