Giovanni Battista Bodoni or Giambattista Bodoni?

Joe Pemberton22 Feb 2008

Which is correct? I've found Italian sources that list the former and American sources that list the latter. Is Giambattista simply a nickname or an Americanized name? (No I'm not suggesting he was an American.)

Cheers.

Celeste22 Feb 2008#

I think it’s the same name — “Giambattista” being simply a shorter (i.e. contracted) form of the complete “Giovanni Battista” (“Jean-Baptiste” in French, “John the Baptist” in English).

kentlew22 Feb 2008#

Joe -- The title page to Bodoni's Manuale Tipografico shows "Giambattista."

From the Octavo edition.

-- K.

Celeste22 Feb 2008#

As does the 1771 Specimen.

Joe Pemberton22 Feb 2008#

Thanks all. I'll show you what I'm working on when it's ready...

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