Polonicum – the concept and its potential application in bibliographical works [17-24]

Abstract

The article discusses selected issues related to the work on the national Polish retrospective bibliography. A short historical outline of the changes in understanding of the term Polonicum is presented (chiefly, with respect to the fundamental bibliography of the Polish literature, i.e. the Bibliografia by Karol Estreicher). The author provides the definition of the term Polonicum, currently accepted in the Polish bibliographic practice, and the rules of selecting materials to be included in the national bibliography. While discussing individual criteria (territorial, national, thematic, and linguistic) Halina Mieczkowska brings forth instances of writings from the period ranging from 16th to 18th century that demonstrate the difficulties, which arise from applying the aforementioned rules in picking out the Polonica.