Original letter from Columbus announcing ‘discovery’ of America goes on sale for first time

[Still Waters]

In 1493, Christopher Columbus wrote a letter that would change the landscape of the modern world. “I sailed to the Indies with the fleet that the illustrious King and Queen, our sovereigns, gave me, where I discovered a great many islands, inhabited by numberless people,” he wrote after his return to Europe to royal treasurer Luis de Santángel. “Of all, I have taken possession for their Highnesses.”

The events relayed in the letter were “the first report of a voyage that really did change the world”, says Columbus biographer Professor Felipe Fernández-Armesto.

Now a rare 1493 Latin translation of this letter, printed on an early printing press to swiftly convey news of Columbus’s “discoveries” to elite Europeans, is expected to fetch up to £1.2m ($1.5m) at a Christie’s auction this month.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/30/original-letter-from-columbus-announcing-discovery-of-america-goes-on-sale-for-first-time

[quiXilver]

For those interested in history and a peek into the pathological sewer that was Columbus' mind... 

Check out the journal/captain's log entry that he made after first contact with tribes in the New Land.

It's an absolute horror show.  A true sociopath with no one around to check him, rather they encouraged him.

[WVK]

On 9/30/2023 at 1:50 PM, quiXilver said:

For those interested in history and a peek into the pathological sewer that was Columbus' mind... 

Check out the journal/captain's log entry that he made after first contact with tribes in the New Land.

It's an absolute horror show.  A true sociopath with no one around to check him, rather they encouraged him.

In literary and historical analysis, presentism is a pejorative term for the introduction of present-day ideas and perspectives into depictions or interpretations of the past. Some modern historians seek to avoid presentism in their work because they consider it a form of cultural bias, and believe it creates a distorted understanding of their subject matter.[1] The practice of presentism is regarded by some as a common fallacywhen writing about the past.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presentism_(literary_and_historical_analysis)#:~:text=In literary and historical analysis,or interpretations of the past.

[quiXilver]

3 hours ago, WVK said:

In literary and historical analysis, presentism is a pejorative term for the introduction of present-day ideas and perspectives into depictions or interpretations of the past. Some modern historians seek to avoid presentism in their work because they consider it a form of cultural bias, and believe it creates a distorted understanding of their subject matter.[1] The practice of presentism is regarded by some as a common fallacywhen writing about the past.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presentism_(literary_and_historical_analysis)#:~:text=In literary and historical analysis,or interpretations of the past.

 

[Abramelin]

On 9/30/2023 at 8:50 PM, quiXilver said:

For those interested in history and a peek into the pathological sewer that was Columbus' mind... 

Check out the journal/captain's log entry that he made after first contact with tribes in the New Land.

It's an absolute horror show.  A true sociopath with no one around to check him, rather they encouraged him.

Upon encountering the Taíno he wrote:

"They are convinced that I and these ships came straight from the heavens. And that's not because they are ignorant or stupid, for they have a sharp intelligence and sail all the seas of this area."

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Thread cleaned.

Debate is a good thing, this site is for exactly that person, but please attack the point of view NOT the person holding it. There is no reason for personal attacks and insults,

[quiXilver]

Quote

They have no iron.  Their spears are made of cane.  They would make fine slaves.  With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want...