ANN ARBOR—Rare and beautiful books and manuscripts produced in the Low Countries from the 15th century to the present are now on exhibit in the Special Collections Library at the University of Michigan.

Titled, “Netherlandic Treasures at the University of Michigan Library,” the exhibit includes early editions of the works of some of the most famous Netherlandic poets, philosophers, and scientists including Joost van den Vondel, Constantijn Huygens, Justus Lipsius, Desiderius Erasmus, Benedict de Spinoza, Rembert Dodoens, and Anthony van Leeuwenhoek.

Travel accounts, both real and imaginary, demonstrate how the Dutch achieved their maritime fame. Some items featured include the 1601 Ortelius atlas of the world, Kaspar van Baerle’s 1647 folio describing the 17th-century Dutch colony in Brazil, and Hendrik Smeeks’ 1708 description of the fictitious island kingdom of Krinke Kesmes.

Also included are a number of the historical works that document the long struggle of the Low Countries against Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries. The titles range from pamphlets describing battles to Pieter Bor’s history of the Dutch wars in five volumes 1621-34. Several volumes include copper-engraved illustrations, such as a 1677 history of the city of Dordrecht; a folding plate by Romeyn de Hooghe depicts the disastrous flood of 1421; and an account of Amsterdam’s principal theatre, the Schouwberg, is illustrated with several dramatic plates showing the conflagration that destroyed the first building in 1772. Eight samples of the map-maker’s art, dating from about 1635 to 1701, include hand-colored maps with elaborate cartouches, many-masted sailing ships, and sea monsters scattered over the oceans.

The earliest and one of the most beautiful items in the exhibit is an illuminated Book of Hours, or personal prayer book, written and painted on vellum in The Netherlands ca. 1425-50.

Examples of the art of printing in the Low Countries, which arrived soon after Gutenberg from 1480 and 1491 are also on display. A large variety of type fonts are in evidence, including several examples of the decorative “civilite” typeface, designed in France in 1557. Modern fine printing is represented by the publications of Stichting “De Roos,” a bibliophile society, which has been producing beautifully made books since 1945.

The Special Collections Library is located on the seventh floor of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library on the U-M campus. The free exhibit runs through Aug. 17. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. For more information about the exhibit or the Special Collections Library, call (734) 764-9377.

Contact: Wanda Monroe

Special Collections LibraryHarlan Hatcher Graduate LibraryWanda Monroe