A few months ago, we were delighted to welcome two visitors from Haiti to Cambridge University Library: Jean-Claude Legagneur, painter and director of the Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien, and the historian and writer Daniel Supplice. They were invited to Cambridge by colleagues from the Fitzwilliam Museum, in preparation for the forthcoming Black Atlantic exhibition, and were able to meet colleagues from the Modern Languages and History faculty. This gave us the opportunity to exhibit some of Cambridge University Library’s holdings related to Haiti, including current publications focusing on Haitian literature and art, in Creole and French, but also English and Spanish (academic works, along with other material, such as children picture books translated into Haitian Creole, from the Legal Deposit collections). The display included books published in Haiti (this year we added a new supplier, Libros de Barlovento), the UK, France, Canada, etc., and works about the history of the island (aspects of its earlier history; studies of Taíno archaeological remains and the culture of this indigenous Caribbean people; or later emblematic political figures, such as Toussaint Louverture). The visit of Cambridge UL was followed by a tour of the Wren Library at Trinity College with a display of livres d’artistes from its Kessler collection.
A highlight of the display was the inclusion of items from the UL’s Rare books collections, including exploration narratives and reports on Haitian geography and society, mostly written from a colonial perspective, dating back to the 15th century. 18th century sources included pamphlets, in French and in English, discussing the Haitian revolution. Below are highlighted three of the early printed books featured on the occasion.
- Christophorus Columbus, Epistola de insulis nuper inventis. Translation: Leandro di Cosco. Rome: Stephan Plannck, after 29 April 1493 (SSS.15.6, Item no. 1)
The Columbus Letter of 1493 ‘about islands recently discovered’ is dedicated to Gabriel Sanchez, treasurer of King Ferdinand II and Isabella of Aragon. It is the first printed account of the New World. Christopher Columbus reports what he experienced during his first voyage. Originally written in Spanish, the letter was translated into Latin by the Catalan Leander di Cosco and spread the news of Columbus’ discovery in Europe. The letter is followed by Epigrams by Leonardus de Corbaria, Bishop of Monte Peloso (Italy), dedicated to King Ferdinand.
Cambridge University Library’s copy is the first item in a collection of works published by Stephan Planck (1457-1501), a German-born printer established in Rome, using the same Gothic type. The collection is in a red Morocco case, bound in green leather lined with red leather with beautiful gilt edges by the famous Zaehnsdorf bookbinders. It belonged to the library of the 19th century collector, clergyman and academic William Edward Buckley (1817-1892) before its acquisition by the bibliographer and barrister Samuel Sandars (1837-1894), alumnus of Trinity College, who bequeathed it to Cambridge University Library.
2. Walter Bigges and Lieutenant Croftes, Expeditio Francisci Draki eqvitis Angli in Indias Occidentales a. M.D.LXXXV. Leydae: Apud F. Raphelengium, 1588 (Dd*.2.32(E), Item no. 2).
This account in Latin is the first edition of Francis Drake’s voyage to the West Indies in 1585. It was begun by W. Bigges, Captain of a company of infantry on the expedition, who died on the voyage, and likely completed by his lieutenant, Croftes. A fuller and more successful English version was published the following year (A Summarie and True Discourse of Sir Frances Drakes West Indian Voyage, edited by Thomas Cates, London, Richard Field, 1589). The publication originally contained maps by the Italian draftsman and cartographer Giovanni Battista Boazio, including one of Santo Domingo.
3. Gerardus Mercator and Jodocus Hondius, Gerardi Mercatoris Atlas sive Cosmographicae meditationes de fabrica mundi... [‘Mercator’s Atlas’]: “Cuba, Hispaniola, &c.”, Amsterdam: Hendrik Hondius, 1628 (Atlas.3.62.1).
We also displayed items form the UL’s Maps department. Gerardus Mercator (1512-1594) was an influential geographer and cosmographer, one of the founders of the Netherlandish school of cartography and geography. In 1604, Jodocus Hondius, his associate, purchased the plates of the Atlas from Mercator’s grandson. Hondius republished Mercator’s work with 36 additional maps (added to 107 original maps), some of which he produced himself. The 1606 edition was a great success and Hondius also published a pocket version, Atlas Minor, in 1607. Hondius and members of his family produced 29 editions between 1609 and 1641, including one in English.
Atlas.3.62.1 is an impressive copy of the 4th French edition, dedicated to King Louis XIII. The text is in French, based on Mercator’s Atlas of 1585-1595, and was completed by Jodocus Hondius and his son Hendrik.
The book contains a large bookplate by the engraver John Pine (1690–1756) featuring Apollo and Minerva flanking the University’s arms and celebrating the generosity of the King (‘Munificentia Regia’) and indicating that this book belongs to the Royal Library. In 1715, George I acquired the large book collection of John Moore (1646-1714), Bishop of Ely, for Cambridge University Library.
The UL holds other copies of the work, including Atlas.4.63.1, which is hand-coloured, and was also part of the Royal library. This 10th Latin edition of the Atlas includes a different dedication, to the rulers of the federal provinces of Belgium and their counsellors. Colour is used to highlight the illustrations, such as the frontispiece; the striking double portrait of Mercator and Hondius, both holding a globe, sitting at a table in front of a shelf of books and a map of Europe; and the many maps included in the Atlas.
Another interesting copy of the work, Atlas.3.63.9, another copy of the Latin edition, in a white vellum binding, which formerly belonged to the 19th century mathematician and astronomer John Couch Adams (1819-1892).
Irene Fabry-Tehranchi
Languages across Borders 