The Dawn of Editing Historical Sources in Poland in the 18th Century

Abstract

The paper is devoted to one of Poland’s first publications (and at the same time one counted among the largest of that time in Europe) of documentary source materials entitled Epistolae historico-familiares (vol. 1–3, Brunsbergae 1709–1711, vol. 4, Wratislaviae 1761), covering the history of Poland between 1667 and 1710. The article focuses on presenting the circumstances in which the work was created, its contents and the issues relating to the authenticity of some of the materials contained therein. The work was compiled over several years (1706–1710) in the immediate surroundings and under the guidance of Bishop of Warmia Andrzej Chryzostom Załuski and comprised ca. 2,040–2,050 textual documents, mainly his correspondence as well as various historical materials and current public life materials. Despite controversies related to Załuski falsifying some of his letters, the work has lost nothing of its significant source value to this day.