Sender: Rare book and manuscripts <EXLIBRIS-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
This article appeared in the English edition of the Santiago (Chile)
imes. --ECW
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CHILE RETURNS THOUSANDS OF STOLEN PERUVIAN BOOKS
Nov. 7, 2007
Chile returned to Peru on Monday 3,788 books, antique texts, and a variety
of other artifacts dating back to the 16th century. The items were
originally stolen from Lima's National Library and taken to Santiago during
the late 19th century War of the Pacific.
The gesture was the result of a four year long review of the catalogues at
both Chile's National Library and also Santiago Severin Library in
Valparaiso. Amongst the collection were nearly 4,000 items that carried the
seal of the Peruvian National Library--a stamp of Peru's coat of arms and
the inscription "Biblioteca de Lima." Any items bearing this hallmark were
given back to Peru during Monday's ceremony.
"We handed back those which had the stamp of the Lima's National Library,
with such a clear identification, it is obvious that these books are not
ours," said the director of the National Office of Libraries, Archives and
Museums (Dibam), Nivia Palma.
Many priceless pieces were in the collection, including the original copy of
"The History of Peru" hand-written by Inca Garcilaso de la Vega in 1617. Six
volumes of the Encyclopedia completed by Frenchmen, Diderot and D'Alembert
in the 1780s were also sent back to Peru, as well as a 1571 edition of Greek
philosopher Demostenes' speeches, translated into Latin.
Overall, the cargo weighed 2.5 tons and required 238 crates to carry it to
Peru.
Dr. Hugo Neira, the head of Peru's National Library, was delighted to have
so many "historic gems" back in their original country: "There is a huge
list of atlases and volumes with notes from travelers that came to explore
this side of the world. These are invaluable books, which have never been
published. What we have here are historic gems, much of which is unique."
Chilean Chancellor Alejandro Foxley said that this "act of friendship"
formed part of "Chile's policy to promote itself to the world as a country
that promotes peace, that believes in the integration of Latin America, and
has the same common purpose as her neighboring countries."
Foxley added that returning the books to Peru "closed this historic
chapter."
This latest gesture is another sign of the improving relations between the
two Latin America neighbors, as it follows the Chilean government's recent
decision to grant an amnesty to all immigrants currently residing in Chile
(ST, Oct. 24) and the repatriation of a Chilean soldier who died during the
War of the Pacific and was buried in Peru (ST, Oct. 1).