-JQ- Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 I'm working on a little documentary about a local library that has an interesting collections of very very old botanical books all the way through modern pharmaceuticals. It is mainly a research library but is open to the public as well. Anyway, here (below) is a document that I got to handle today. It is still in the protective cover as we were just doing test shots today and it doesn't usually leave the Mylar sleeve. It is a letter to the gentleman who did the botanical study/inventory of the north American frontier - it is his commission hand written by Jefferson himself. The letter literally fell out of one of their old editions of the inventory. They didn't even know they had it until a few years ago....they've been in operation for over 100 years and still have many volumes and collections that haven't even been cataloged. And while that was pretty cool, I'm also getting to work with books from the 16th century. The earliest so far has been 1533. Another interesting book followed Napoleon on his expeditions through Europe documenting the flora and fauna...not a copy of the book the actual book. Today was the first day and my mind is still spinning. I mean how many people have held that book in those 500 years? Who were they? I just thought I'd share in case there are any book worms around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Too cool! I suspect there are lots and lots of little libraries with gems like that hiding. With the advent of digital media the only way those relics are going to be found is by the enthusiast. Thanks for sharing!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-JQ- Posted July 21, 2011 Author Share Posted July 21, 2011 (edited) Thanks 3Q Here is crop of another gem I got to handle/shoot today...while not Jefferson...it is pretty old - written in pencil. The second pic is of the book that was published from the work...first edition and in french - the guy was french. Edited July 21, 2011 by -JQ- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Sierpina Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Quite a find, and an extremely fascinating job. The handwriting is so pleasant to read, unlike mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-Ho Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Wow. What a treasure. I could spend days in old libraries just admiring the books, regardless of subject. Some are works of art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirveyr Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 That is too cool! I'm sure many already knew this, but like many of the early Presidents, Jefferson was a "sirveyr" before was elected to the highest office in the land. <sigh> A boy can dream.... <sigh> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-JQ- Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share Posted July 25, 2011 Here's today's oldie...1584. I keep hoping I'll find another cool letter hidden away somewhere in their books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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