La tavola dei correttori nell’Origine e progressi della stampa di Pellegrino Antonio Orlandi: fonti e fortuna di un apparato di corredo

The Origine e progressi della stampa by the Carmelite friar Pellegrino Antonio Orlandi published in Bologna in 1722 is, like the almost exactly contemporary work by Michel Maittaire, presented in the form of annals but includes an innovative range of indexes, including a list of proof correctors. An examination of the names of these collaborators in early printing houses across Europe mentioned in this list shows that Orlandi’s information was not original but based in large part on an equivalent listing in Maittaire’s work. Orlandi’s table however allowed his readers easier access to the contents of his book as well as giving prominence to the figure of the proof corrector and it was his work which inspired studies dedicated to this specific argument in centuries to come.