Koniáš, Antonín (1691–1760).

[A RADICAL JESUIT – FOUNDER OF CZECH 'BIBLIOGRAPHY'] Index bohemicorum librorum prohibitorum, et corrigendorum ordine alphabeti digestus, reverendissimi, celsissimi S.R.I. principis domini domini Antonii Petri dei Gratia, et sedis apostolicae archi-episcopi pragensis jussu collectus, atque editus. WITH: Broadsheet providing rules for distinguishing between good and unacceptable translations of the Old and New Testament: Facilis methodus agnoscendi: an Biblia seu Testamentum permitti, corrigi, vel tolli debeat, aut possit? ... (Cum Licentia Ordinarii. Vetero-Pragae impressum in Aula Regia, apud Franciscum Carolum Hladky, Archi-Episcopalem Typographum, 1747).

Prague: Typis Joannis Caroli Hraba (Jan Karel Hraba), [1770]. Second Edition. Octavo (17.9 × 10.8 cm). Contemporary calf over five raised bands; decorative label to spine; marbled endpapers; 316, [IV] pp. Lacking the [80] pp. preface. Boards lightly worn and scuffed; front hinge cracked at top (ca. 4 cm); else internally good. The broadside a single leaf, printed to recto and verso; old folds; spotting; else good. Item #P5929

Second edition of this index of Protestant and anti-Catholic literature meant to be confiscated and burned. The book is a continuation of the radical Jesuit priest's earlier works, such as the famous "Clavis haeresim claudens et aperiens. Kljč Kacýřské Bľudy K rozeznánj otwjragicý | K wykořeněnj zamjtagicý..." [A key to identifying and eradicating heretical mistakes. Or Index of certain heretical, scandalous, suspicious or prohibited books…], first published in 1729. This book also urged regular searches of printing shops, libraries, and bookstores, and was the first such index issued for the Czech lands. The present work was more direct in its condemnation of suspect literature and its insistence that such works be removed and destroyed.

Because Koniáš's works often holds the only available information on many listed books, he has acquired the ironic fame of the founder of Czech bibliography. More ironically still, his father had been a famous Bohemian printer. Koniáš’ excesses were surely exaggerated by the Communists’ anti-Catholic propaganda, but he was known for zealously altering and destroying books deemed heretical (he reportedly boasted of burning 30.000 volumes himself). It is said that he preached five times a day, often collapsing from exhaustion, and eagerly collected parishioners’ “sinful” books, handing out theologically sound literature instead. Whatever the truth of these claims, this and other indexes played a key role in marginalizing Czech culture and literature of this period of counter-reformation. The “Key either entirely or at least in part condemned almost all Czech writings from the years 1414–1620, and ordered all Czech exile literature, that is Hussite, Brethren, Lutheran, Calvinist, and Pietist books either to be utterly ‘rooted out’ or else rectified” (cited in Derek Sayer, The Coasts of Bohemia, p. 49). As a result, the Czech language itself continued to be displaced and practically fell into disuse until its “revival” in the nineteenth century.

We cannot trace any holdings of the broadside, which is not attributed, but possibly also by Koniáš.

As of January 2024, we can trace five holdings in North America of the first edition (1767). The present second edition is only held in the Czech Republic and Germany.

Price: €1,200.00

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