Reservados
Item
Country
PT
Name of institution (English)
General Library of University of Coimbra
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
por
Contact information: postal address
Largo da Porta Férrea, 3000-447 Coimbra
Contact information: phone number
00351 239859831 (general)
00351 239859847 (reference office)
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
secretaria@bg.uc.pt (Secretarial Office)
manuscritos@bg.uc.pt (Manuscripts and Rare Books Room)
Reference number
This collection includes documents with the following references: Cofre, R, RB, and RC.
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Manuscripts and Rare Books
Title (official language of the state)
Reservados
Language of title
por
Creator / accumulator
Biblioteca da Universidade de Coimbra
Date note
16th century/18th century
Language(s)
heb
lat
Extent
Not yet determined. This is a collection in permanent updating, with regular new incorporations.
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Satisfactory
Scope and content
The Reservados collection of the Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra comprises manuscripts, incunabula and rare printed books with high bibliographic and heritage value. One of its highlights is a Hebrew illuminated Bible (Ms Cofre 1) in parchment, with 385 folios, text in 3 columns (32 lines each), and a 17th or 18th-century binding with golden decoration and bronze locks). It includes masorah magna and parva. Before the first decorated pages, there are some Hebrew inscriptions: the first group contains annotations on births dated 1418, 1496 and 1503; and the second group evokes the death of two persons (a man named Samuel da Costa and the wife of the owner) in 1557. These inscriptions prove that the Bible was composed before the early 15th century, and Portuguese Jews owned it in the mid-16th century. Mendes dos Remédios (1903) suggests this volume is the same manuscript Bible composed in Lisbon that António Ribeiro dos Santos (Memórias para a história da literatura sagrada dos judeus portugueses [1792-93]) mentioned as being owned by D. José Abravanel in Venice in the 16th century. This Hebrew bible became known as "Bíblia de Abravanel" (Abravanel Bible) because of this assumption. A digital copy of this item is available online at:
Archival history
The Reservados collection was created before the current building of the Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra was constructed in 1957-58. Then, it was placed in the Biblioteca Joanina.
This collection is in continual update with the entry of new items.
The illuminated Hebrew Bible (Ms Cofre 1) was acquired by Manuel Pedro de Mello (1765-1833) in the Netherlands in the early 19th century. The manuscript was in the Netherlands since at least the end of the 17th century. After the acquisition, the Bible was delivered to a committee of theologians to be analysed. During this process, the manuscript was kept in the room where the committee had its meetings for years. It was only incorporated into the University library collection in 1857.
This collection is in continual update with the entry of new items.
The illuminated Hebrew Bible (Ms Cofre 1) was acquired by Manuel Pedro de Mello (1765-1833) in the Netherlands in the early 19th century. The manuscript was in the Netherlands since at least the end of the 17th century. After the acquisition, the Bible was delivered to a committee of theologians to be analysed. During this process, the manuscript was kept in the room where the committee had its meetings for years. It was only incorporated into the University library collection in 1857.
Administrative / Biographical history
The history of the Biblioteca da Universidade de Coimbra (University of Coimbra Library) dates back to before the transference of the University of Lisbon to Coimbra in 1537. Then, there was already a "Livraria do Estudo" (library of study) whose functioning followed specific statutes. The University of Coimbra Library was granted statutes in 1591, 1597, and later in 1653.
In the 16th century, the library collection was enriched with several donations and the acquisition of books. However, this development process was interrupted during the Philippine dynasty (1580-1640) and the Restoration Wars (1640-1668). Only in the 18th century, during the reign of King João V, was the library given a boost with the construction of a new building and the acquisition of new books. From this time on, it became the magnificent Biblioteca Joanina. In 1772, after the Pombaline reform of the University, new specialised libraries were founded.
The 19th century led to significant changes in the University of Coimbra, following the instability caused by the French Invasions and the incorporation of archival fonds from religious orders after their extinction in 1834. In the 20th century, the fact that the University of Coimbra Library has benefited from legal deposit since 1932 has contributed to the increase of its collection.
In 1962, a new university library building opened in the former Faculdade de Letras, whose facilities had been adapted in the works on the University Campus. At present, the Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra is divided into this "edifício novo" (new building) and the Biblioteca Joanina, recognised as a National Monument due to its architectural and decorative richness. The Biblioteca Joanina hosts a priceless bibliographic collection that has been subject to a process of digitalisation since 1991.
(source: https://www.uc.pt/bguc/BibliotecaGeral/Historia)
In the 16th century, the library collection was enriched with several donations and the acquisition of books. However, this development process was interrupted during the Philippine dynasty (1580-1640) and the Restoration Wars (1640-1668). Only in the 18th century, during the reign of King João V, was the library given a boost with the construction of a new building and the acquisition of new books. From this time on, it became the magnificent Biblioteca Joanina. In 1772, after the Pombaline reform of the University, new specialised libraries were founded.
The 19th century led to significant changes in the University of Coimbra, following the instability caused by the French Invasions and the incorporation of archival fonds from religious orders after their extinction in 1834. In the 20th century, the fact that the University of Coimbra Library has benefited from legal deposit since 1932 has contributed to the increase of its collection.
In 1962, a new university library building opened in the former Faculdade de Letras, whose facilities had been adapted in the works on the University Campus. At present, the Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra is divided into this "edifício novo" (new building) and the Biblioteca Joanina, recognised as a National Monument due to its architectural and decorative richness. The Biblioteca Joanina hosts a priceless bibliographic collection that has been subject to a process of digitalisation since 1991.
(source: https://www.uc.pt/bguc/BibliotecaGeral/Historia)
Access points: locations
Access points: persons, families
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
Records are arranged sequentially.
Finding aids
The Alma Mater platform includes the description and digital copies of some manuscripts of the Reservados fonds, including the Hebrew Bible (Ms Cofre 1).
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2021
Bibliography
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra | Collections (official language of the state) |