Publications
CHARLES FREDERICK DE BROCKTORFF:
WATERCOLOURS OF MALTA
AT THE NATIONAL LIBRARY, VALLETTA
The National Library of Malta is pleased to
announce the launch of Vol. 2 of its publication Charles
Frederick de Brocktorff: Watercolours of Malta at the National
Library. The second and final volume, written by Theresa
Vella, discusses a group of watercolours by the German-Danish
artist which depict interior views of St John’s Co-Cathedral,
the Palace, the Library as well as a number of open-air views
of Valletta and the Grand Harbour. The author gives a stylistic
analysis of the paintings, while placing them in their art
historical context. Their documentary value is also discussed,
as a historic viewpoint of the two most significant historic
buildings in Malta. Of particular importance are the watercolours
showing the interior of the Palace that underwent major changes
in the early years of the British period, in the early twentieth
century and once again in the years following Malta’s
Independence in 1964.
Copies may be booked at the National Library at the price
of €30. The offer is valid until Friday 27th February.
After that date, the books will be sold at the price of €45.
They are only available at the National Library, Valletta.
Click
here for Order Form [338Kb] 
| Prices |
|
| Offer
till 27th February |
€30 |
| Normal
Price |
€45 |
NATIONAL LIBRARY CD-ROM
The National Library of Malta possesses thousands of holdings,
among them manuscripts dating back to the twelfth century and
rare printed works. Among the outstanding treasures are the
charter of King Baldwin I of Jerusalem granting casals in
Galilee to the Order of St. John (1107); and the charter
granting the Maltese Islands to the Order by Charles V in
1530.
An Interactive CD-Rom, commissioned by the Maltese National
Commission for UNESCO, was produced in order to make the
general public acquainted with the Library’s priceless
holdings. It was specifically designed for the layman and the
potential researcher in order to encourage easy access to the
inestimable wealth of knowledge enshrined in our National
Library consisting mainly of: the Archives of the Order of St.
John, the Archives of the Medieval Universitas; the very rare
books in the Incunabula section and a vast array of
Melitensia, ancient documents, fine bindings and prints.
| Price |
|
| National
Library CD Rom |
€9.32 |
GIUOCO D’ARME DEI SOVRANI E DEGLI STATI
D’EUROPA
To coincide with the occasion of Malta’s entry into the
European Union on 1st May 2004, the National Library curated
the facsimile of a book written by Bernardo Giustiniani and
published in Naples in 1725 – Giuoco d’Arme dei Sovrani e
degli Stati d’Europa – which describes, by means of heraldic
playing cards, the European states existent in the 17th-18th
centuries. The cards are accompanied by information about the
history and geography of each state.
The original work, written by a French Jesuit, Claude-Oronce
Finé de Brianville, was entitled Jeu d’Armoires des souverains
et d Etats d’Europe and published in Paris in 1659. The book
is interesting because it consists of a pedagogical game
presenting information about the various European states and
their emblems in the form of playing cards. It constitutes the
first work designed as a learning game involving
coats-of-arms, history and geography. A number of editions
appeared and were circulated in Europe in the 17th and 18th
centuries.
The edition conserved at the National Library of Malta is
unique for two reasons, firstly because the work is dedicated
to Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena; secondly because it
includes within a single binding the rules as well as the 52
playing cards in a way that constitutes a complete set.
Most of the work on the facsimile was carried out by the staff
of the National Library. The tasks included supervising of
photography, printing, collating and sewing; binding and
finishing; making slipcases for the books.
|
Prices |
|
|
Leather Bound |
€46.59 |
|
Cloth Bound |
€30.28 |
Other National Library
publications available at the Library
|
