farfel_n09_004_572

This was the 2nd book in England to be
published by subscription, the 1st being
John Minsheus Guide into Tongues, a
dictionary in eleven languages, printed in 1617.
For a work of this nature, it went through the
press in the remarkably short space of 4 years.
The exotic founts employed appear to have
furnished by the 4 English type founders
nominated under the Star Chamber decree.
Thomas Roycroft - printer in London -> 1651-77.

- was also the printer of the handsome ed. of the
classics published & edited by John Ogilby.

- his printing house was destroyed in the
Fire of London.

- he became Master of the Stationers' Co. in 1675
& was allowed to assume the title "Orientalium
Typographus Regius".

- died Aug. 10, 1677 & was buried in the church
of St. Bartholomew the Great.

The chief editor Brian Walton (1600-1661) who was made
bishop of Chester (1660-61) after the Restoration, began
works on the project in 1647 after having studied Oriental
languages at Oxford. Eventually many scholars collaborated
on the project including John Lightfoot (1602-75) &
James Ussher (1581-1656). Among the preforatory
materials are charts on biblical weights & measures.
descriptions of the 2nd temple & a "Sacred Chronology"
which computes the dates of major historical & biblical
events "ab orbe condito."

HEHL
#112956
Vol. 1

- all non Latin texts are accompanied by
a Latin translation.