Giovanni da Verrazzano letter transcription facsimiles
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Abstract
1905 photographic facsimiles of an undated manuscript transcription of a 1524 letter from explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano to King Frances I of France upon Verrazzano's exploration of the Atlantic Coast of the United States, obtained from Florence, Italy by historian Arthur J. Weise for the Committee on Brooklyn History.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two folders: the documents and facsimiles are in one folder, and the metal box in which they were originally housed is in another.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains photographic facsimiles of an undated manuscript transcription of a 1524 letter from Giovanni da Verrazzano (also known as James Verrazanus) to King Frances I of France upon Verrazzano's exploration of the Atlantic Coast of the United States in March through May of 1524. Among other accomplishments, Verrazzano was the first European explorer to enter New York Harbor and the Hudson River. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Brooklyn and Staten Island, is named in his honor. This copy, obtained by the Long Island Historical Society in 1905, was the first known verbatim facsimile of the document in the United States.
The facsimiles were obtained by historian Arthur James Weise, who also wrote a description of the facsimiles' provenance that is included in the collection. At that time, Weise was working on a project to document early Brooklyn history under the auspices of the Committee on Brooklyn History, which was founded by the City of Brooklyn and later continued by the City of Greater New York, always under the supervision of the Long Island Historical Society. Weise notes in his description, dated November 20 1905, that the committte had authorized him in June of that year to obtain the facsimile photographs of the manuscript transcription of the letter, which was held at the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale in Florence, Italy.
The items are accompanied by an LIHS bookplate noting that they were presented by Alfred T. White, who was a member of the Committee on Brooklyn History. They were originally housed in a metal box covered with red and blue marbled paper and labeled in Weise's handwriting.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to users without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
The materials in this collection are in the public domain. While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Giovanni da Verrazzano letter transcription facsimiles, 1979.015, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Alfred Tredway White, 1905.
About this Guide
Processing Information
This collection was rehoused and the finding aid revised by Dee Bowers in 2024. At that time, the metal box that originally housed the documents was foldered separately so as to more safely and appropriately house the letter and facsimiles.
