"These treasures are keepsakes for the
ages," said Viltis Jatulis, Head Librarian at Thomas
Aquinas College on the acquisition of rare books, letters
and other artifacts to be displayed in St. Bernardine Library.
"We are extremely thankful for these gifts which will
greatly enhance the value of our Rare Book Room." The
acquisition was made possible through the generosity of a
donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
_ Two Hittite seals, dating from 1,200
B.C., used to confirm contracts or agreements;
_ An altar piece, dating from the early
19th century, likely used by traveling priests to say Mass
and containing a sterling silver crucifix with garnet nails
for the wounds of Christ and a topaz centerpiece;
_ A collection of fore-edged books,
most of which date from the 19th century;
_ A collection of rare books, the earliest
of which dates from 1673;
_ A collection of rare letters by notable
clerics, such as Cardinal John Henry Newman, and statesmen
such as Abraham Lincoln and Lord Acton;
_ A duplicate of the original Gutenberg
Bible;
_ A duplicate of the original 1611 edition
of the King James Bible;
_ A 19th century altar pad with gold
embroidery;
_ A collection of exquisite ivory carvings,
including a bust of St. Paul, images of various saints,
and other statues, statuettes, and figurines;
_ An 18th century Peruvian ivory jewelry
box;
_ China set with religious images used
by Jesuit missionaries from 1740.
The acquisitions will be stored in the
Rare Book Room of the Library, which is a specially sealed,
humidity-controlled room reserved for rare books and artifacts.
Mrs. Jatulis, Head Librarian of the College since its founding,
was particularly pleased to be given custody of these acquisitions.
"This is the largest single donation of rare books
and artifacts in our entire 29-year history," she said
proudly. "These items are important to Catholic history."
Among other items on display is a Book
of Hours from France dating from 1481; a Bible and commentary
from Spain dating from 1584 with annotations signed in the
blood of the bishop condemning the commentator; a 1666 edition
of the sermons of St. Bernard; the first edition in facsimile
of Bramante's architectural drawings of St. Peter's Basilica
in Rome; an ornate edition of the Missale Romanum
of Pius V from 1866; original works of Edmund Campion (1631),
Francis Bacon (1651), and Rene Descartes (1683); the J.P.
Migne set of the Latin Church Fathers, and the Parma and
Leonine editions of St. Thomas Aquinas.
