Rare gem at Phoenix library features 437-year-old book with a famous twist

People don’t think of public libraries for rare books or special collections, outside of the major cities – New York, Boston, even L.A. So it is really special that this collection is here in Phoenix. I think a lot of people aren’t putting us on the map when it comes to ‘oh we have cool stuff, too.’”

Burton Barr Library’s Special Collections Manager Alex Mada

By Steve Stockmar
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Since their discovery earlier this year in a downtown Phoenix library, historic annotations on a 437-year-old book are kept in a climate-controlled vault rarely on display.

Academic researchers this past March discovered that not only was the gem of the Rare Book Room on the fourth floor at Burton Barr Library — Raphael Holinshed’s “The Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland,” from 1587 — alongside rare works from 17th century poet John Milton, the “Chronicles” actually belonged to Milton himself and feature annotations in the “Paradise Lost” author’s own handwriting.

“Chronicles” has been a centerpiece of the rare collection of 3,000 books donated by late Phoenix businessman, philanthropist, and arts advocate Alfred Knight, who died in 1958. He purchased the book in 1942 for about $35 from a bookseller in Hollywood.

“Knight amassed a valuable collection of rare books and manuscripts, including Shakespearean works,” the Rare Book Room’s accompanying information display explains. “In 1954 he loaned this collection to the Phoenix Public Library, with the condition that it would become city property upon his death.”

Under the name of Raphael Holinshed, “Chronicles” was composed by a group of collaborative authors. The historical literature provides a detailed account of the histories of England, Ireland, and Scotland through the late 16th century and the reign of Elizabeth I. At the time, like other books, the three volumes (in two books) were the primary source for such documented information, arguably like the Google of its time.

“The ‘Chronicles’ served as an invaluable source for William Shakespeare, who drew heavily from its content for his historical plays including ‘King Lear,’ ‘Macbeth,’ ‘Cymbeline,’ ‘The Life and Death of King John,’ and more,” the Rare Book Room’s descriptor explains.

As if the value and rare magic of the book wasn’t enough, scholars earlier this year noted something else about it. Something historically unique in fact.

This particular page in “Chronicles” features the most handwriting from John Milton found in one spot throughout the pages.

(Independent Newsmedia/Steve Stockmar)

Through analysis, some of the handwritten annotations in the margins were authenticated as coming from Milton himself.

“The book does not bear Milton’s signature or his characteristic notes of the purchase date and price, so the attribution is based, in the first place, on palaeographical analysis, specifically the comparison of handwriting in the Holinshed annotations and in two extant holograph manuscripts: the Commonplace Book and the Trinity manuscript,” two of the researchers co-wrote earlier this year in “TLS,” one of the world’s leading journals for literature since 1902.

The Rare Book Room at Burton Barr features a host of other literary rarities, including first-editions by Ernest Hemingway and Jane Austen, among a host of others.

Unsurprisingly “Chronicles” is rarely on public display but the historic discovery within its pages figures to change its typical demand.

“There haven’t been many requests to really go through the book and continue to research the annotations specifically,” Burton Barr’s Special Collections Manager Alex Mada said Dec. 20. “There are Miltonists out there and I’m sure they will come calling at some point.”

Milton used this very “Chronicles” as a source for his own writings.

His “Paradise Lost: A Poem in Ten Books,” was famously published in 1688 and tells the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. The epic poem, a long narrative told in verse, spans more than 10,000 lines.

The Rare Book Room is home to a first edition of “Paradise Lost” by 17th century poet John Milton.

(Independent Newsmedia/Steve Stockmar)

Knight, meanwhile, was born in San Francisco in 1874. The philanthropist and local businessman was involved locally in civics and nonprofits and was a big library supporter. In the Valley arts community, Knight was instrumental in helping elevate the Phoenix Little Theater and the annual Shakespeare Festival and was a past president of the Phoenix Fine Arts Association.

His donated collection strengthens the Phoenix Public Library’s standing among rare literary finds, says Mada.

“People don’t think of public libraries for rare books or special collections, outside of the major cities — New York, Boston, even L.A.,” she said. “So it is really special that this collection is here in Phoenix. I think a lot of people aren’t putting us on the map when it comes to ‘oh we have cool stuff, too.’”

The Rare Book Room at Burton Barr — home to the Knight collection, an artists’ book collection, and a reference collection — is not widely accessible for walk-in viewing. Residents looking to make requests for tours or research appointments should email rarebookroom@phoenix.gov.

The room, however, will be out of commission January through March for building improvement projects.

Click here to browse the Rare Book Room’s collection.

The Rare Book Room at Burton Barr Library features numerous rare first editions from the collection of the late Alfred Knight.

(Independent Newsmedia/Steve Stockmar)

Steve Stockmar
News Editor | Sun Life Magazine & Arts & Entertainment YourValley.net

sstockmar@iniusa.org

Meet Steve
Steve Stockmar joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, and has been an Arizona journalist for almost 30 years. He serves as editor of Sun Life Magazine and contributes to West Valley communities where he focuses mostly on arts & culture, education, and profiles of neighbors making a difference.

Community: Every season Steve serves as a “buddy” with the Miracle League of Arizona in Scottsdale, has volunteered his time with Family Promise in Glendale, and previously served on the Ghostlight Theatre board in Sun City West.

Education: Graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a Journalism major and English minor.

Random Fact: Steve once won a 50-player live Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament.

Hobbies: Anguishing over his beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears; listening to Beatles and Grateful Dead music.