II. Editorial tricks

Donghevalueerde gouden ende silveren munte van diveersche coninckrijcken... . – Anvers: Gillis van den Rade for Christophe Plantin et Guillaem van Parijs, 1575. In-8.

The Dutch-language list of about 650 gold and silver coins in illegal circulation supplemented another list in Dutch and French of 180 authorised currencies published earlier by Christophe Plantin and his Antwerp colleague Guillaem van Parijs (active between 1564 and 1586). In fact, the monetary fluctuations following the influx of Spanish silver and the turmoil of the Eighty Years’ War drove authorities repeatedly to recall legislation in an attempt to siphon precious metals toward royal coffers.

   The reproduction of both sides of the coin, which facilitated identification, and the woodcut engraving were generally the specialty of Van Parijs. Plantin, who lacked the necessary woodblocks, had to collaborate with him after having obtained an exclusive royal privilege for official monetary publications (6 November 1574), symbolised by the portrait of the Spanish rulers on the title page. The colophon indicates that he subcontracted the printing to another Antwerp colleague, Gillis van den Rade (active between 1571 and 1587), for, in this year 1575, his own presses were already swamped by the number of editions to publish.

Cultura Fonds: LC  376