Talk:Colophon (publishing)

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Contents 1 Etymology 2 Page name 3 Another usage of the word 4 yet another useage 5 Include a reference to the Wiseman hypothesis?

[edit] Etymology

I have deleted the former etymology, and replaced it with the correct derivation from the Greek by way of Latin; I have, however, kept the reference to Colophon in Asia Minor, to avoid confusion. The etymology can be confirmed at http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=colophon; in the Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon; and elsewhere.

[edit] Page name

Since colophons don't appear in just printed publications, I'd suggest this be moved to colophon (publishing) or thereabouts. « alerante ✆ ✉ » 16:22, 25 May 2005 (UTC)

Yes, and while we're at it, can anyone come up with a definition that covers the usage of the term in the case of hand written (scribe copied) books. I got here by link from Codex Sinaiticus, where it refers to notations connected with particular "books" (in the biblical sense, comparable to chapters or parts, but possibly produced separately and only bound together) of this ancient Greek copy of the Bible. Mrnatural

[edit] Another usage of the word

Doesn't the word "Colophon" also refer to the graphic representing the publisher, often found on the spine, cover, and/or title page? Examples would include the Penguin penguin, the Waite Group Press W, or the Larousse "Je séme à tout vent" fairy. 4.234.120.26 15:57, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

yes, maybe someone could add this - from websearches - "Colophon - An identifying inscription or emblem from the printer or publisher appearing at the end of a book. Also the emblem at the bottom of the spine on both the book and dust-wrapper as well as a logo on the title or copyright page." "COLOPHON (2) - An emblematic design; a trade emblem or device of a printer or publisher." "COLOPHON Details of the printer's typography or the publisher's symbol, often found on the last page of a book and sometimes referred to as such when a printer's or publisher's 'device' is found on the copyright page. Sometimes states the number of copies printed, and in the case of a limited edition, will cite the copy number and may contain the signature of the author, illustrator, or publisher." also, some artists have a colophon, which is a symbol used in place of a signature, often stylized initials. ffangs 19:31, 26 September 2006 (UTC)

No. this is incorrect. See my post on the Club of Odd Volumes discussion page regarding the incorrect use of the term "colophon" as the technical term for the "device" of the COV as depicted on that page. If one refers to the print version of the well respected "An ENCYCLOPEDIA of the BOOK, TERMS USED in PAPER-MAKING, PRINTING, BOOKBINDING and PUBLISHING with NOTES on ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS, BIBLIOPHILES, PRIVATE PRESSES and PRINTING SOCIETIES" by Geoffrey Ashall Glaister, the author debunks the term "colophon" as used to describe the publisher's or other mark or device on the title page of a publication.

see my quote here: Image talk:CluboOddVolumes.jpg. I believe because of the relative scarcity of Glaister's "Encyclopedia", it might be well to cite the entry here to correct this more universally accessible reference material and help establish what the "colophon" is NOT. HotType918 (talk)HotType918

[edit] yet another useage

In The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis, Jaques Lacan defines a colophon as the 'pointing-finger' in the margins of old books.
is this an accurate meaning of the word? none of my research online has been able to defend it and google image search yields no such printed fingers.
--Vinney 06:26, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps a mistranslation? --65.16.61.35 15:56, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

This is new to me, and I know well the poiting fist/finger chracters. In the U.S. they would fall into a category called "dingbats." ut not a colophon. As a graphic mark, on;ly a printer or publisher's mark would be called colophon presently. CApitol3 16:37, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Include a reference to the Wiseman hypothesis?

Not sure how to add such a reference, but here's a suggestion...

The Wiseman hypothesis, aka tablet hypothesis, has a small following among Bible-believing Christians. This hypothesis claims that the Book of Genesis was originally written on tablets by various figures mentioned in the text of Genesis itself. The basis for this theory is the claim that colophons can be found in the text. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiseman_hypothesis