Columbus's
Book of Privileges
Códice Diplomático Columbo-Americano
Seville: ca. 1502
Vellum
Manuscript Division
Purchased from William Everett, 1901
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On January 5, 1502, prior to his fourth and final voyage to America,
Columbus gathered several judges and notaries in his home in Seville
to authorize the authentic copies of his archival collection of
original documents through which Isabel and Fernando had granted
titles, revenues, powers, and privileges to him and his descendants.
These thirty-six documents are popularly called Columbus's "Book
of Privileges." Four copies of his "Book," existed in 1502, three
written on vellum and one on paper. The Library's copy, one of
the three on vellum, has a unique paper copy of the Papal Bull
Dudum siquidem of September 26, 1493, which extended the Spanish
claim for future explorations.
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