''Merkuriusz Polski Ordynaryjny'' (The Polish
Mercury Ordinary; original 17th-century
Polish spelling: ''Merkuryusz Polski Ordynaryiny''; full title: ''Merkuriusz Polski dzieje wszystkiego świata w sobie zamykający, dla informacji pospolitej'': The Polish Mercury, Encompassing All the World's Affairs, for the Common Knowledge) was the first
Polish newspaper
A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background.
Newspapers can cover a wide variety of fields such as politics, business, spor ...
(actually, a weekly), published from 1661, first in
Kraków
Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula, Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland un ...
, then in
Warsaw
Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is officiall ...
.
['' Encyklopedia Polski'', p.404.]
Though short-lived, it gave its name to several later newspapers, notably the ''
Merkuriusz Polski'' published in London, 1955–58.
History
''Merkuryusz Polski Ordynaryiny'' first came out in
Kraków
Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula, Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland un ...
on 3 January 1661. Sponsored by the court of King
John II Casimir of Poland
John II Casimir ( pl, Jan II Kazimierz Waza; lt, Jonas Kazimieras Vaza; 22 March 1609 – 16 December 1672) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1648 until his abdication in 1668 as well as titular King of Sweden from 1648 ...
and his consort Queen
Marie Louise Gonzaga
Marie Louise Gonzaga ( pl, Ludwika Maria; 18 August 1611 – 10 May 1667) was Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania by marriage to two kings of Poland and grand dukes of Lithuania, brothers Władysław IV and John II Casimir. Together ...
, the newspaper was a weekly devoted chiefly to contemporary politics, European dynastic affairs, and monarchs' military campaigns. With regard to internal affairs, it promoted political reforms and the strengthening of monarchical power. Its demise was associated with the failure of the king's political plans.
''Merkuryusz'' was edited in a 17th-century Polish heavily influenced by
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through ...
; some parts of issues were written purely in Latin. Initially published by the
Kraków
Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula, Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland un ...
printing house
In publishing, printers are both companies providing printing services and individuals who directly operate printing presses.
Printers can include:
*Newspaper printers, often owned by newspaper publishers
*Magazine printers, usually independe ...
of J.A. Gorczyn (issues of 3 January – 4 May 1661), in May 1661 its editorial offices moved to
Warsaw
Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is officiall ...
, where the issues from 14 May through 22 July 1661 appeared.
[''Encyklopedia powszechna PWN'', vol. 3, p. 90.] Altogether 41 issues came out (12 of them "extraordinary," or special
), with a run of 100–250 copies.
The last issue was dated 22 July 1661.
''Merkuryusz'' was edited by
Hieronim Pinocci Hieronim is the Polish form of Hieronymus and may refer to:
*Adam Hieronim Sieniawski (1576–1616) (1576–1616), Polish–Lithuanian noble
* Adam Hieronim Sieniawski (1623–1650) (1623–1650), Polish noble
* Dominik Hieronim Radziwiłł (1786 ...
, an Italian merchant who had migrated to Poland and served in notable posts in the royal administration, including those of master of the Kraków
mint
MiNT is Now TOS (MiNT) is a free software alternative operating system kernel for the Atari ST system and its successors. It is a multi-tasking alternative to TOS and MagiC. Together with the free system components fVDI device drivers, XaAE ...
and secretary to King John II Casimir.
Other collaborators included
Łukasz Opaliński.
Between 1933 and 1939 the complete run was reprinted by the
Polish National Library
The National Library ( pl, Biblioteka Narodowa) is the central Polish library, subject directly to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
The library collects books, journals, electronic and audiovisual publica ...
.
See also
* ''
Mercurius Aulicus
''Mercurius Aulicus'' was one of the "most important early newspapers" in England, famous during the English Civil War for its role in Royalist propaganda.
Creation
The ''Mercurius Aulicus'' newspaper originated during the English Civil War f ...
''
* ''
Mercurius Caledonius''
*
''Monitor'' (Polish newspaper)
Notes
References
* ''
Encyklopedia Polski'' (Encyclopedia of Poland), Kraków, Wydawnictwo Ryszard Kluszczyński, 1996.
* ''Encyklopedia powszechna PWN'' (
PWN Universal Encyclopedia), vol. 3, Warsaw,
Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe, 1975.
External links
Complete edition of ''Merkuryusz'' on-line
{{Authority control
Polish-language newspapers
Publications established in 1661
1661 disestablishments
1661 establishments in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Mass media in Kraków
Newspapers published in Warsaw
Weekly newspapers published in Poland