In Sélestat, every first Wednesday of the month, the Humanist Library organizes sessions to discover old books, for enthusiasts.
It’s free and it’s open to small groups, for discover the treasures that are stored in this unique place.
Book that inspired Jean de La Fontaine and his famous fables
This Wednesday, September 7, an incunabula dating from 1493 was presented. The incunabula are the first books that date from the early days of printing, before 1500. There are nearly 500 incunabula in Sélestat.
– Guillaume Chhum
They are actually two books bound together. A compilation of fables, with illustrations and Indian texts from the Pantchatantra written during antiquity. They traveled across centuries and continents to inspire Jean de la Fontaine in the 17th century.
The “treasures” of the Humanist Library
The book is very well preserved in the “treasures” of the Humanist Library, in a room that remains at 19 degrees, with a humidity rate of 50%.
– Guillaume Chhum
“It’s a book bound with two wooden boards. It’s covered in leather and paper. It’s in very good condition. It’s always thrilling to have it in your hands and a pleasure to give explanations of its history to enthusiasts,” says Cécilia Michel, mediator at the Humanist Library.
an old book printed by Strasbourg Mathias Schürer.