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The Stuart and Mimi Rose Collection /

The Columbus Letter

Item 2A

The Columbus Letter

1494
Incunabula

At the end of the 15th century, a group of Europeans, led by Christopher Columbus and financed by the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille, accidently landed on the island known by its inhabitants as Guanahani on their way to Asia. This singular episode set off a chain of events that transformed European cultures and Indigenous cultures in the Americas and continues to reverberate today. On his return to Spain, Columbus addressed several letters to the Catholic monarchs who had financed his expedition, which were printed and circulated throughout Europe. Columbus greatly exaggerated what he had observed, setting the stage for Europeans to colonize the Americas, leading to the decimation of the Indigenous populations.

A historic illustration titled
An old hardcover book with a small rectangular label in the center of the front cover. The label has handwritten text that reads,
A close-up of an old, open book showing a woodcut illustration and Latin text. The illustration depicts a crowned figure wearing armor, holding a flag and shield with intricate designs. The text above and around the illustration appears aged, with some fading and yellowing of the paper.

What will you discover next?

William Caxton Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye
Detail from a page of old manuscript written in English with light brown ink. The text is in a Gothic script and densely covers the entire page. A large red decorative capital

Using the printing press to create new versions of old stories?

Go To Item 10D

Jules Verne Journey to the Center of the Earth
Detail from an old manuscript titled

Rather than a real voyage, a fantastical voyage?

Go To Item 9A

Return to Rose Collection
A vibrant, symmetrical collage features historical black-and-white photographs of three individuals encircled with colorful floral patterns. The background is filled with intricate designs of butterflies and geometric shapes in shades of teal, coral, and beige.

Return to the Rose Collection

Visit the Folger to see this object on exhibit