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Literary Review
LANDMARK
Rare books in a free library
VATSALA VEDANTAM
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A visit to the unique Free Library of Philadelphia takes one back in time.
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Photo: Vatsala Vedantam
Precious relic: The material is priceless and irreplaceable.
Philadelphia is most famously known as the birthplace of American democracy. Visitors throng Independence Hall or Liberty Bell or the US Mint as must-see landmarks. But, to me, a favourite haunt was 1901, Vine Street just across the park.
This is the home of one of the world’s best libraries. It is called the Free Library of Philadelphia — a 120-year-old institution. You can find almost anything about everything that has been written or recorded ever.
Impressive collection
The first time I visited this amazing place, I wandered into the Music section. Paul Savedow, the genial head of the department, seemed cut out for his role. It was an impressive collection from all over the world. I asked him if he could ferret out a recording of an eminent South Asian musician.
Within minutes, there I was in a comfortable armchair, savouring the best of Semmangudi. It felt surreal listening to a Dikshitar krithi in an American library.
I started spending more time in this delightful hide out. Until, one day, I found myself in front of a panelled door marked Georgian Room on the third floor of the building. This 62-foot-long room is said to house the largest collection of rare books in the world. Among public libraries across the U.S., the Rare Books Department in the Free Library of Philadelphia is easily the most imposing.
Ancient manuscripts
Among this exceptional collection that has 2800 pieces of the oldest form of “books” called the Cuneiform tablets which are actually wedge shaped symbols pressed into clay and dating back to 3,000 B.C..
One can see ancient Oriental manuscripts with samples of Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Sanskrit and Pali writings among others. These include works on astronomy, philosophy and religion written on long scrolls or palm-leaf paper.
Among the Arabic and Persian manuscripts, there are 21 copies of the Koran in immaculate condition. Firdausi’s epic poem, Shahnamah, occupies pride of place among these. The 1200 miniatures in this collection are incredibly well preserved.
As for the European manuscripts, they open a world of great classical masters like Aristotle, Virgil and Cicero. Here is a collection of 2,000 separate leaves, in addition to 200 books, dating back to the ninth century, and which include Bibles, Psalters, and other writings of the medieval Church Fathers.
What makes this magnificent collection all the more luxurious is the traditional art of illumination and calligraphy that enrich them.
Medieval splendour
We pass on to the Incunabula with its fabulous collection of 500 books from the presses of 15th century Europe where, you glimpse the works of the Latin poet, Horace, with his original manuscripts, translations and even imitations that tell us another story of 15th century printing and binding and engraving too.
Just like the 14th century manuscripts of the Magna Carta and other Statutes and Year Books of those times that relate the history of England most eloquently.
Rare treats
But what I liked best was the section on English literature. A veritable Alladin’s cave with gems from Shakespeare, Coleridge and Keats to Oliver Goldsmith, Dickens and Tennyson and more. Here are autographed letters and original manuscripts from Edgar Allan Poe, including the first edition of Tamerlane written in 1827. In this book lovers’ paradise, one can see annotated copies of Elizabeth Barret Browning or signed letters by Bernard Shaw.
What a rare treat to see the contract signed between Goldsmith and his publisher, Newberry. Or, the manuscripts of The Vicar of Wakefield and She Stoops to Conquer! Dickens’ fans would treasure the vast collection of autographed letters of the prolific 19th century writer.
I saw five leaves of the original manuscript of The Pickwick Papers resting securely in a sealed glass case and wondered what it would feel like to hold and read them. Or, mull over the Ode to a Grecian Urn in his own hand...
A visit to this unique library can take you back in time to live and breathe with those literary giants of long ago. The material you find here is not only priceless; it is irreplaceable.
No wonder Sabina Clarke, my guide, gently nudged me out with the consoling words “I will send you a photograph of the entrance to this building. Would you like that?”
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