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Writings of Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus · 1892

An 1892 collection of Columbus's letters, privileges and will describing the discovery and occupation of the New World.

This collection preserves Columbus's own letters, privileges and will, documenting his voyages and legacy.

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Writings of Christopher ColumbusPDF · 264 pages
Christopher Columbus, Writings of Christopher Columbus, edited by Paul Leicester Ford, 1892. Internet Archive.

About this source

What it is

This 1892 book, edited by Paul Leicester Ford, gathers Columbus's own letters to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, his letters to Raphael Sanchez, Luis de Santangel, and Juana de la Torres, along with his privileges, deed of entail, and his will.

Why it matters

This collection brings together Columbus's correspondence with the Spanish crown and his personal legal documents, showing both his role as an explorer reporting discoveries and as a man managing his own affairs and legacy, including his will.

Look closer

  • Why might Columbus's will be included alongside his letters about discovery?
  • What do the different recipients of these letters tell you about who Columbus needed to keep informed?
  • What questions would you ask about how these documents were selected and translated for this book?

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

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Handwritten Spanish manuscript page in brown-black ink on aged paper, showing dated diary entries from August 1492 (Friday 3, Saturday 4, Sunday, Monday 6, Tuesday 7 de agosto), written in 16th-century script. This is a copy of the abstract by Bartolomé de las Casas, not the original journal.Diary entry

Primary source

Christopher Columbus' Journal

Christopher Columbus · 3 August 1492 – 15 March 1493

Page from a bound book showing two engravings. Top: allegorical title plate 'Americae Retectio' with two medallion portraits, figures Flora and Janus, and a globe between draped cloth. Bottom: Columbus standing on a ship's deck with a banner, surrounded by sea figures.Painting

Secondary source

Americae Retectio Title Page with Columbus on His Ship

Black-and-white scan of an early printed page in Gothic-style black letter type, with a large decorated initial at the top left. The page is the first page of a printed Spanish text of Columbus's letter, dense with columns of text.Letter

Primary source

Columbus Letter on the First Voyage

Christopher Columbus · 15 February 1493

Colored print of a ship's deck scene. A bearded man in a blue cloak over an orange tunic stands center, one arm raised and pointing. Around him sailors crowd in, some drawing swords and grappling, and a kneeling man in a tan robe is held by others on the right.Painting

Secondary source

Columbus Admonishes His Men

Cassé

Open bound register showing two manuscript pages of handwritten Spanish legal text in brown ink on aged parchment, with a signature and date line near the top right of the right page. Dark background surrounds the book.Document

Primary source

Capitulations of Santa Fe

Catholic Monarchs · 17 April 1492

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