Kolophon (Schriftstück)

Ein Kolophon (griechisch κολοφών ‚Gipfel‘, ‚Spitze‘, ‚Schluss‘) oder eine Subskription (‚Nachschrift‘, vergleiche aber die gängigere Wortbedeutung von Subskription) ist ein Element eines Buches, das in der Regel am Schluss der Handschrift oder des Druckwerks steht und Informationen unter anderem über Inhalt, Verfasser, Ort, Zeit, Hersteller, Auftraggeber und Produktionsdetails der Veröffentlichung enthält. Der Kolophon gehört zum sogenannten Paratext. Kolophon ist in dieser Verwendung kein antiker oder mittelalterlicher Begriff, sondern im Deutschen erst seit dem 18. Jahrhundert als Terminus technicus gebräuchlich.

↑ Vgl. Isolde Mozer: Kolophon auf der Seite RDK Labor. Die erste nachgewiesene Verwendung findet sich bei Samuel Palmer: The General History of printing, from its first invention in the City of MENTZ, to Its first Progress and Propagation thro’ the most celebrated Cities in Europe. Particulary, its Introduction, Rise and Progress here in England. The Character of the most celebrated PRINTERS, from the first Inventors of the Art to the Years 1520 and 1550. With an Account of their Works, and of the most considerable Improvements wich they made toit during that Intervall. S. Palmers Widow, London 1732, S. 30 : The next in date is the Catholicon, a latin vocabulary, the same which is affirm’d by Trithemius to have been printed in wood some time before 1450, and which was reprinted at Mentz ann. 1460. I have seen two of these books, one in the Earl of Pembroke’s library, and the other in the learned Dr. Mead’s, with this very remarkable colophon at the end; „By the assistance of the most high God, at whose nod the tongues of infants become eloquent, and who often reveals that to babes which he conceals from the wise, this excellent book, the Catholicon was finish’d in the year of our Lord’s incarnation 1460, in the city of Mentz belonging to the noble German nation (which God of his goodness has vouchsaf’d to prefer to other nations, and of his free gift to make conspicious by this glorious invention) this work was done, not by the help of quil, pencil or any writing instrument, but by the agreement, symmetry, and proportion of the printing-press, then follows a doxology in four Latin verses to this purpose; To thee Father, Son and Holy Ghost, three in one, be honour and praise: O Catholick reader give thanks for this book in the church, and never cease to praise the blessed Virgin Mary. Thanks be to God.“ Der Begriff colophon, den Palmer nicht näher erläutert und als bereits bekannt vorauszusetzen scheint, begegnet in dem Werk noch mehrfach.

[1] Vgl. Isolde Mozer: Kolophon auf der Seite RDK Labor. Die erste nachgewiesene Verwendung findet sich bei Samuel Palmer: The General History of printing, from its first invention in the City of MENTZ, to Its first Progress and Propagation thro’ the most celebrated Cities in Europe. Particulary, its Introduction, Rise and Progress here in England. The Character of the most celebrated PRINTERS, from the first Inventors of the Art to the Years 1520 and 1550. With an Account of their Works, and of the most considerable Improvements wich they made toit during that Intervall. S. Palmers Widow, London 1732, S. 30 : The next in date is the Catholicon, a latin vocabulary, the same which is affirm’d by Trithemius to have been printed in wood some time before 1450, and which was reprinted at Mentz ann. 1460. I have seen two of these books, one in the Earl of Pembroke’s library, and the other in the learned Dr. Mead’s, with this very remarkable colophon at the end; „By the assistance of the most high God, at whose nod the tongues of infants become eloquent, and who often reveals that to babes which he conceals from the wise, this excellent book, the Catholicon was finish’d in the year of our Lord’s incarnation 1460, in the city of Mentz belonging to the noble German nation (which God of his goodness has vouchsaf’d to prefer to other nations, and of his free gift to make conspicious by this glorious invention) this work was done, not by the help of quil, pencil or any writing instrument, but by the agreement, symmetry, and proportion of the printing-press, then follows a doxology in four Latin verses to this purpose; To thee Father, Son and Holy Ghost, three in one, be honour and praise: O Catholick reader give thanks for this book in the church, and never cease to praise the blessed Virgin Mary. Thanks be to God.“ Der Begriff colophon, den Palmer nicht näher erläutert und als bereits bekannt vorauszusetzen scheint, begegnet in dem Werk noch mehrfach.