America's Greatest Library
This illustrated guide to the history of the Library of Congress is a go-to volume for scholars, researchers and visitors. Library of Congress historian, John Y. Cole, highlights the history, personalities, collections, and events that have created and sustained this singular institution.
The engaging visual history traces the growth of the collections of the world’s largest library through a combination of concise chronological milestones, brief essays, vivid photographs, and illustrations. Hardcover, 256 pages.
#21107188
The Naming of America
This book features the first sheet-by-sheet facsimile of the 1507 World Map by Martin Waldseemuller--one of the most important maps in the history of cartography and the first map ever to display the name America. It tells the fascinating story behind the map's creation in 16th-century France and rediscovery 300 years later in the library of Wolfegg Castle, Germany, in 1901. It also includes a completely new translation and commentary to Martin Waldseemuller and Matthias Ringmann's seminal cartographic text, the Cosmographiae Introductio, which originally accompanied the World Map. Waldseemuller maps are on view in our Exploring the Early Americas exhibit. Written by John Hessler.
Published by D Giles Limited, in association with the Library of Congress. Hardcover, 7.5" x 9"; 128 pages with 40 color illustrations.
Item number 21107027
Minerva Ornament
This glass decoration is evocative of the Minerva mosaic by Elihu Vedder that resides in our Great Hall. The Roman goddess of learning and wisdom is portrayed as the “Minerva of Peace,” and appears as the guardian of civilization with her armor partly laid aside. 2.5"l. x 1.5"w.
Ours exclusively.
#21506360