Rare collection for valuable readers BY A STAFF REPORTER | Wednesday, July 19, 2006 11:23:55 IST=20
Celebrating 150 years, the University of Mumbai has organised an exhibition of 'Rare Books and Artifacts.' All the rare and ancient collections of books and photographs are placed at the Rajabhai Tower Library. This collection will be made available for public viewing from today to July 25 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The exhibition will exhibit 'Peregrinatio Hierosolymitana Et Montis Sinai' which is the oldest book in the University Library. It was published in the year 1490 and was written by Bernhard Von Breydenbach.=20 Providing a description of a pilgrimage from Germany to Jerusalem this book is remarkable. Peregrinatio Hierosolymitana Et Montis Sinai is regarded as the first illustrated travel book. It contains the earliest known instance of the painter, Erhard Reuwich of Utrecht. The exhibition was opened yesterday, but only to the special invitees. Deepti Kale, an invitee at the exhibition, found it the concept of the exhibition very interesting. She suggested that the exhibition should be arranged more often. "It is unbelievable that such old books are still preserved. I think such exhibitions should be organised more often," said Deepti. "Besides, readers should also be allowed to read the books if they are interested," she added.=20 Looking concerned about the condition of these priced possessions Harish Patel, another invitee said, "No one should be allowed to touch these antiques. I haven't touched them myself. The books look delicate and won't remain in their present condition, forever. They will get damaged. The library authority should spend some money to laminate each page and then bind it." Other collections displayed include Robert Orme's 'History of Indostan', published in 1805. This book has interesting maps and a wealth of details about contemporary politics and social life. The exhibition also displayed the early translation of Bhagwat Gita by Charles Wilkins, published in 1785, 'A Narrative of the Battle against Tipoo Sultan' in 1792, a first hand account with maps showing battle positions. Also exhibited are: a book published in 1699, on the History of the Church of Santa Monica in Goa written in Portuguese, Thesaurus and Latin Turkish-Arabic-Persian Dictionary published in Vienna in 1687 among others. Aroon Tikekar's, The Cloister's Pale, a biography of the University of Mumbai is the only book for sale. The book will be sold at a discounted price of Rs 450. http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=3Dfromthepress&subsec= t ion=3Dinbombay&xfile=3DJuly2006_inbombay_standard10299 ~(^^)~ Avelino _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org