Special Collections

In the vault of the Biblioteca Central, a corpus of valuable books printed between the 16th and 19th centuries is preserved. We present a selection of the collection.

Don Quijote de la Mancha Don Quijote de la Mancha (1615) by Miguel de CervantesPontifical Catholic University of Peru

Don Quixote of La Mancha

Cervantes, Miguel de (1615). Segunda parte del ingenioso cavallero Don Quixote de la Mancha. Madrid: Juan de la Cuesta. 

Don Quijote de la ManchaPontifical Catholic University of Peru

First edition of the second part of this classic work. It is one of the most valuable printed we keep. It is estimated that exist just forty copy of this edition in the world

Velos antiguos y modernos (1641) by Antonio de LeónPontifical Catholic University of Peru

Velos antiguos y modernos en los rostros de las mujeres

León, Antonio de (1641). Velos antiguos i modernos en los rostros de las mugeres: sus conveniencias i daños: ilustración de la real premática de las tapadas. Madrid: por Juan Sánchez. 











Discourse on the benefits and cons of the use of the veil by women throughout history. It refers to tapadas limeñas and, in particular, the use of the veil is censored.

Descripción del viaje alrededor del globo (1646) by Jacques L´HermitePontifical Catholic University of Peru

Description of the trip around the globe

L´Hermite, Jacques (1646). Iournael van de Nassausche vloot, ofte beschrijvingh van de voyagie om den gantschen aerd-kloot (…) Amsterdam: J. Hartgertsz. 

Descripción del viaje alrededor del globo (1646) by Jacques L´HermitePontifical Catholic University of Peru

It describes the famous circumnavigation of the Dutch fleet under the command of Admiral Jacques L'Hermite during the years 1623-1626.

Los Bucaneros de América (1684) by Alexander ExquemelinPontifical Catholic University of Peru

Bucaniers of America 

Exquemelin, Alexander (1684). Bucaniers of America or, a true account of the most remarkable assaults committed of late years upon the Coasts of the West-Indies ...  London: William Crooke.

It is one of the most unique narrative sources on 17th century piracy.

El Escorial (1764) by Andrés XiménesPontifical Catholic University of Peru

Descripción del Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo del Escorial

Ximénes, Andrés (1764). Descripción del Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo del Escorial: Su magnífico templo, panteón y palacio (...). Madrid: Antonio Marín. 
In addition to containing the history of the building, it includes a set of sheets showing the plans of the monastery.


Abbreviated account of the trip through the interior of America

Condamine, Charles Marie de la (1745). Relation abrégée d’un voyage fait dans l’interieur de l’Amérique Méridionale (...). Paris: Chez la veuve Pissot.
The author was the geographer of the French scientific expedition to South America.

La relación abreviada del viaje por el interior de la América Meridional, From the collection of: Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
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La relación abreviada del viaje por el interior de la América Meridional, From the collection of: Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
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Tercero Catecismo Tercero Catecismo (1585) by AnónimoPontifical Catholic University of Peru

Peruvian books

The Lima workshops brought to light, among others, texts for use by the religious in charge of the care of souls, such as the Third Cathecism, ordered to be published by the Third Council of Limense, and a universe of writings produced in the university academic field.

Third catechism and exposition of the Christian Doctrine

Para qve los cvras y otros ministros prediquen y enseñen a los Yndios y a las demás personas, conforme a lo qve en el Sancto Concilio Prouincial de Lima se proueyó (1585). Ciudad de los Reyes: Antonio Ricardo.

Tercero Catecismo, From the collection of: Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
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Considered a Peruvian incunabulum, for being one of the first printed works made in the viceroyalty, in Antonio Ricardo's printing press. The copy that we preserve has on the cover the signature of the Jesuit José de Acosta, who was in charge of making the comparison between the printed original and the printed text.

Crónica Moralizada (1638) by Antonio de la CalanchaPontifical Catholic University of Peru

Moralized chronicle of the Order of Saint Augustine in Peru

Calancha, Antonio de la (1638). Coronica moralizada del Orden de San Augustin en el Perú con sucesos egenplares en esta Monarquía. Barcelona: Pedro Lacavalleria

History of the evangelizing and institutional work of the Augustinian order since its arrival in Peru.

Tratado de los evangelios Tratado de los evangelios (1648) by Francisco de ÁvilaPontifical Catholic University of Peru

Treatise of the Gospels

Ávila, Francisco de (1648). Tratado de los Evangelios, que Nuestra Madre la Iglesia propone en todo el año desde la primera dominica de Adviento, hasta la ultima Missa de Difuntos (...) Lima: [¿Pedro de Cabrera?].


Bilingual sermons in Spanish and Quechua.

Elogio de Jáuregui (1781) by José Baquíjano y CarrilloPontifical Catholic University of Peru

Praise of His Excellency Don Agustín de Jáuregui

Baquíjano y Carrillo, José (1781). Elogio del exelentísimo señor don Agustín de Jáuregui y Aldecoa; caballero del orden de Santiago, Teniente General de los Reales Exercitos, Virrey, Gobernador y Capitán General de los Reyes (...). Lima: [¿Imprenta de la Calle de la Concha?].

Altogether, the books in our university's Special Collections are of enormous value to researchers interested in the history of ancient books.

Credits: Story

Content: Sistema de Bibliotecas PUCP. Colecciones Especiales
Texts: María Estela Reaño
Photographs: Fabiola Montoya Hinojosa | Dirección de Asuntos Culturales 
Photo editing: Mari Carmen Tovar | Jessica Morón

References:
Dirección de Asuntos Culturales (2018). Los tesoros culturales de la PUCP: archivos, documentos, libros y colecciones especiales. Lima: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú.

Reaño, María Estela (2023). Portadas de títulos impresos durante los siglos XVI, XVII, XVIII y XIX del área de Colecciones Especiales del Sistema de Bibliotecas (Versión 1.0) [Conjunto de datos]. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12534/EQGZWT

Conoce más del Portal de Datos Abiertos de la PUCP

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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