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Portuguese Memorial

Portuguese Memorial – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – leg. 367, doc. 142 – Archivo General (Simancas, Spain)

Portugal — 1494

Written in 1494, only rediscovered in the 20th century: a letter to Queen Isabelle I of Spain requesting expeditions to Africa

  1. This is a 1494 letter from a Portuguese noble to Queen Isabella I (1451–1504) urging her to send expeditions to Africa

  2. This important document had lain unnoticed in Simancas until its discovery in the 20th century

  3. A precious find from the early days of the Age of Exploration and Colonization

Portuguese Memorial

leg. 367, doc. 142 Archivo General (Simancas, Spain)
Portuguese Memorial – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – leg. 367, doc. 142 – Archivo General (Simancas, Spain)
Portuguese Memorial – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – leg. 367, doc. 142 – Archivo General (Simancas, Spain) Photos with courtesy of the publisher
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Description
Portuguese Memorial

A glimpse into the colonial era that was lost for centuries is provided by this contemporary document from 1494: in it, a Portuguese nobleman wrote to Queen Isabella of Castile (1451-1504), urging her to send expeditions to Africa instead of the Indies. This important letter lay unnoticed in the Archivo General of the Castilian city of Simancas since the 16th century until it was discovered by Professor Itsvan Szaszdi León-Borja of the University of Valladolid and Professor Katalin Klimes-Szmik of the University of Budapest. They are the co-authors of the study and the transcription included in the companion volume.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Memorial Portugués
Size / Format
50 pages / 33.0 × 23.0 cm
Origin
Portugal
Date
1494
Language
Latin
Previous Owners
Queen Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504)
Available facsimile editions:
Portuguese Memorial – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – leg. 367, doc. 142 – Archivo General (Simancas, Spain)
#1 Memorial Portugués
Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Madrid, 1994
Limited Edition: 980 copies
Facsimile Editions

#1 Memorial Portugués

Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Madrid, 1994
Portuguese Memorial – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – leg. 367, doc. 142 – Archivo General (Simancas, Spain)
Portuguese Memorial – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – leg. 367, doc. 142 – Archivo General (Simancas, Spain) Photos with courtesy of the publisher

Publisher: Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Madrid, 1994
Limited Edition: 980 copies
Binding: Embossed leather
Commentary: 1 volume by Itsvan Sazszdi and Katlin Klimes-Szmik
Language: Spanish
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €
(under 1,000€)
Inquire current price here or ask a different question
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