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Secondary sourceArtifact

Two-handed sword and Autograph of Vasco da Gama

Anonymous Unknown author

An engraved image showing a two-handed sword traditionally said to have belonged to Vasco da Gama, alongside a facsimile of his signature.

This image shows a sword traditionally attributed to da Gama along with his facsimile signature, linking him to a preserved relic.

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Engraved plate from the 'Album do Século' showing a drawing of a long two-handed sword with a wavy, flame-like blade and a cross guard, plus a facsimile signature 'Vasco da Gama' below. Caption text in Portuguese describes the sword and its dimensions.
Anonymous, Two-handed sword and Autograph of Vasco da Gama, Album do Século.

About this source

What it is

This is an engraved plate from the publication 'Album do Século', showing a drawing of a long two-handed sword with a wavy, flame-like blade, together with a facsimile of the signature "Vasco da Gama". Portuguese captions describe the sword and its measurements. The maker of the engraving is not recorded.

Why it matters

Objects like this sword, traditionally linked to da Gama, show how later generations preserved and displayed relics connected to famous explorers. Whether or not the sword truly belonged to him, its survival and the inclusion of his signature reflect how his memory was kept alive in Portugal long after his death.

Look closer

  • What does the word "traditionally" suggest about how certain we can be that this sword was really da Gama's?
  • Why might people want physical objects linked to famous historical figures?
  • What questions would you want answered before trusting that this signature is authentic?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Vasco da Gama on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Portrait of Vasco da Gama

Anonymous · c. 1525

Painted portrait of a bearded man in a black cloak and black hat, holding a staff in his left hand and a sword hilt at his waist. Behind him is a shield with red and white stripes and a Portuguese coat of arms. The gold-colored inscription at top reads Dovasço da Gama Visoreie Comde.Painting

Secondary source

Vasco da Gama, Livro de Lisuarte de Abreu

Livro de Lisuarte de Abreu (compiler unknown) · c. 1565

A black line-drawn autograph signature on white background, with a stylized flourish above and an underline stroke beneath, running across the image from left to right.Document

Secondary source

Signature of Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama

A tall tapering white stone pillar topped with a stone cross stands on a raised circular platform by the sea. Two people sit on a low wall at left, and others sit near the right side under a partly cloudy blue sky.Artifact

Primary source

Vasco da Gama Pillar

1498 or 1499

Hand-painted portolan-style world map on parchment showing the Atlantic, Africa, and parts of Asia and the Americas, with compass roses, rhumb lines, colored flags, and Latin and Portuguese place labels.Document

Primary source

Cantino Planisphere

Anonymous Portuguese cartographer · 1502

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