1949

While many of us have contributed financial and other kinds of support to the College over the years, classmate Mark Landsburgh has over the past twenty years contributed manuscripts to the college library. The curator of manuscripts stated that each historical manuscript is a superb example of a specific genre and style of script and that the 35 or more items represent a wonderful research and teaching collection.

This came to my attention when I heard how Javier Perez de Cuellar, while on visit to the College, happened on an exhibit and found one of Mark's manuscripts fascinating. The exhibit "Spain and the New World" contained a manuscript donated by Mark that happened to be a grant of arms given by Charles I to Nicholas de Almacan of Ariquipa, Peru. On this document's border roundel is the only known life portrait of the Spanish explorer Francis Pizzarro.

This led me to inquire more about other documents and I found out that this spring there was an exhibit at Hood Museum entitled "The Manuscript Book 800-1500." Drawn entirely from Baker Library, the exhibit featured three of Mark's treasures.

The first was a leaf from Liber Glossarum, an early glossary prepared at Aachen, the site of the zarolingian royal court of the year 825, which helps provide a better understanding of medieval literacy. From the medieval duchy of Benenento comes a single leaf of Beneventan sacraments which demonstrates handwriting that is important in the development of modern script. And, finally, a piece from a Beneventan antiphonal which contains a unique musical notation of the Beneventan liturgical rite and quite possibly one of the earliest musical manuscripts held by an American institution.

The list of other items involves kings, popes, and many others now available to be seen at Baker Library.

I had a nice letter from Don Scholle, who reports that after having spent most of his life in the New York investment banking field he has retired. He has moved to the country in Southhampton, Long Island, where he is renovating a modest home, his new permanent residence. Don farther commented that he will try in the future to attend our mini-reunions, and I am sure all will welcome them.

Well, I hope your summer fun is great. Again I send out a plea for a note on some newsworthy items.

RFD# P.O. Box 337, Laconia, NH 03246