Evening star., 1938-07-03

on the Delaware. These pamphlets q
having been printed previous to and
at the time of settlement There are
also most interesting photostats in the
exhibit where the entire printed mat
ter could not be shown. After the
organization of the expedition Peter
Minuit or Minnewit, native of Wesel
who had served the Dutch West India
Co. from 1926 to 1882 as director gen.
eral of New Netherlands-New York
and who at the time was living In
New Amsterdam, was chosen to con-
duct the first Swedish expedition to
this country. Peter must have had
the Dutch astuteness and executive
ability, as well as an eye to trade, that
would have done credit to the pres
ent century. His methods may not
have always been above board. but he
was loyal to the interests of his en-
ployers. enjoying at the same time an
adventurous spirit and a love of the
sea.
The Chef D'Oeuvre
OF the Exhibit.
What is considered the chef d'oeuvre
OF the exhibition is an illustrated book
by Thomas Campanius Holm, which
Is the first book telling in some detail
about the colony of New Sweden. This
book is priceless not only for the
matter it contains but for the precious
original illustrations According to
Gamma nine hn ;e%r !
on the west side of Delaware Bay, be-
low the Mordare Xii tMurderkill
Creek at place they called Paradis
Udden paradise Point). Probably, Y
says he, because it seemed so grateful
and agreeable They afterward pro-
ceeded up the river, and on the 29th
OF March, Minuit concluded purchase
Of land from five chiefs Of the Minquas
belonging to the great 1roquois race)
At the boundaries of the land Minuit
had erected posts bearing the insignia
Of his sovereign, and designated the
country as New Sweden. There was
Immediately built fort called in
honor of the 6-year-old queen,
christina" This was at a point of
rocks about 2 miles from the mouth
of the Minquas Creek-to this creek
Minuit gave the name of Elbe.
Rare Letters and Beautifully
illustrated Books.
Near this is an interesting letter of
William Penn, containing a general
description of the Province of Penn
sylvania and a map in detail of the
city of Philadelphia in its infancy.
And not far away is John Ogilby's
Illustrated History of the New World"
with the most wonderful and gorgeous
ly clad 1ndians-it was not quite I'M
derstood whether they were natives of
North America, Canada, Peru or
Mexico. but they are royal looking
persons. The colors of the costumes
and landscape are clear and brilliant
after all the years. This book also
treats OF the Fins and was published
in 1871. In this case is an engraved
portrait after Van Dyck of Gustavus
Adolphus-the Great. And a delight
ful book of memoirs of Queen Chris
tina. not printed until 1851, is one of
the most interesting things in the ex-
hibit. Also a small history of her time
replete with civil and literary detail
OF her life and work.
The Thriller
OF the Century.
But the thriller of the 18th century
must have been the Travels of Peter
kalm," with a large map, perhaps
Sox38 inches, which forms the frontis-
piece OF the book His travels in
North America in Swedish and
ngllsh-was translated into many
Languages with numerous editions, one
OF the latest bearing the date of 1897.
Tnls version of the ITO edition was
printed in New York. The edition ex-
hlbited Is the It'll, printed in London
Peter seemed to have an enchanting
sense Of the fitness of things. and AZ
he travelled through several of the New
England States. New York, Canada.
ana down in Virginia, he enjoyed the
aoundantly, and were he living today
one Is sure he would pay full tribute to
the night clubs of the present time
He noticed the beauty of form and
face OF the Indian maidens as well as
the more mature charms of the souaws.
There was no detail too minute, neither
an event too trifling to excite his
notice and to be recorded. Much of
Kalms book has been the foundation
for later histories. He was naturalist
whose observations during his travels
In the United States have been in
valuable-sometimes q bit too poetic
perhaps A recent noteworthy acces-
sion to the Library of Congress atlas
collections is an edition of Peter Kahn
made In Finland.
Early illustrated Maps
Are Shown in Collection.
One Of the most beautiful maps
showing the Swedish settlement and
forts, including Fort Christina or
Christian. also the famous city Of New