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Primary sourceLetter1893 facsimile of 1493 original

The Letter of Columbus on the Discovery of America

Christopher Columbus · 1893 facsimile of 1493 original

A 1893 facsimile of Columbus's 1493 pictorial letter reporting his discoveries to the Spanish crown, with English translation.

Reproduces Columbus's 1493 letter reporting to the Spanish crown on the voyage Isabella financed.

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The Letter of Columbus on the Discovery of AmericaPDF · 64 pages
Christopher Columbus, The Letter of Columbus on the Discovery of America, facsimile of the 1493 pictorial edition, 1893. Lenox Library, New York.

About this source

What it is

This is a facsimile reprint, made in 1893, of the 1493 pictorial edition of Columbus's letter announcing his discoveries, together with a literal English translation and introduction. It was printed by order of the trustees of the Lenox Library in New York, based on a rare original printing from 1493.

Why it matters

Columbus's letter was the first printed account of his voyage, funded by Isabella and Ferdinand, and it quickly spread across Europe in multiple translations. This facsimile preserves the appearance of that very early printed report, letting readers see how the news of the discovery first reached the public.

Look closer

  • Why was this letter printed and translated so quickly after Columbus's voyage?
  • What does the existence of woodcut illustrations in the original edition suggest about how the news was presented?
  • What is missing from a letter written by the explorer himself about the people he encountered?

This letter is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Queen Isabella I on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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