TABULA AMERICAE COLLECTION
This series of books and other documents is without a shadow of a doubt the most important bibliographical legacy of the commemoration of the 5th centenary of the discovery of America. Like the Raccolta Italiana in 1892, it will be a landmark for scholars and bibliophiles of the future.
The perfectio
n of the facsimile reproduction makes the 24 volumes in the Tabula Americae Collection truly worthy of their title: Image of America. This collection is a true bibliographical jewel, not only because of the precision and beauty of the reproductions, but also because of its important documentary value.
The collection range from manuscripts and incunabula dating from before the Admiral's arrival in America, to collections of documents on the organization, extension and exploitation of his discoveries and those of his contemporaries.
The series is divided in to six main sections. The first is devoted to the Admiral's Own Library and includes the reproduction of one manuscript and three incunabula. All reflect the culture and knowledge of the period, and all bear glosses and annotations in the Admiral's own hand.
Theseannotations give us an insight into tastes and interest, his obsessions and preoccupations, occasionally showing a man affected by poor health and weariness.
This second section comprises two of the most important Maps Emerging from the Discovery of America: the Oliva Atlas and the Juan de la Cosa Map.
There follow two sections each made up of six titles: Colombian Documents begins with the Admiral's diary and ends a collection of documents which includes his will; Documents of the Columbian Period reproduces collections of documents with commentaries by a number of authors enabling us better to understand the complex political and diplomatic relations of the time. Portuguese Documents comprises three titles revealing the difficult relationship between the neighboring states, and the race for new discoveries.
Lastly Documents on America includes two outstanding codices and documents on the earliest exploration of Maya ruins.
