The books of the “Spanish Wise Man” collected in a unique collection in Novelda

Compile Jorge Juan’s bibliography. 18th and 19th centuries so it becomes one historical and cultural landmark It was made possible by the valuable funds of the Trade Museum, which he founded and managed. David Beltra Torregrosa together Veronica Quiles Lopez as project manager.

This extraordinary legacy is not present in its entirety in any public or private institution. Hence the importance of a project that unites heritage and history, present and future around one of the most outstanding figures of the Spanish Enlightenment.

A bibliographic treasure

The catalog published by both brings together 40 original works from the exhibition hosted by the cultural patron’s estate, El Fondonet. cesar cort lantero. “It is necessary to emphasize from all small deeds Historical Thesis Although not noticed, it was of great importance for the demarcation of the areas between Spain and Portugal. It was published in 1749 and was subsequently withdrawn as it was not in the national interest. So one of the 300 published copies exhibited in El Fondonet, and most of them were destroyed after they were confiscated,” explains César Cort.

This unique bibliographic collection includes all the books written by Jorge Juan. Since the first editions 18th centuryuntil it’s reissued XIX century Spanish in addition to versions of the sailor’s work English, French and Dutch translation. related books scientific expeditions and expeditions, mathematics, nautical knowledge and navigation.

In a bookstore in Madrid

David Beltrá of Novel, creator of the exhibition, shared his collecting journey yesterday on the bibliography of Jorge Juan and Santacilia. MadridTo attend the old book fair in October 1995 walk. “After that morning trip, I wanted nothing more than to publish Jorge Juan’s work in the collection. Spanish Themes which was originally sold for two pesetas and was already offered for a thousand pesetas in the 1990s. 1990“.

Of course, in those years, you could only buy old books by visiting bookstores and book fairs, and then by phone.

Telling, still excited collector David Beltrá said the bookseller surprised him by showing him two 18th-century copies written by Jorge Juan. “Those were big words anyway, and when I told him about my illustrious compatriot, the desire to show me was infected by the enthusiasm and illusion he must have seen on my face. “Maritime Review” of 1771 and “State of Astronomy” of 1774it also included a biography of Jorge Juan, written by his secretary Miguel Sanz and published a year after his death.

It would be one more trip, but everything changed in the central bookshop on Calle Alcalá, and Beltrá came with the firm intention to take these works to Novelda.. Here are some books with more being added over the decades after visiting many other fairs, visiting bookstores, antique shops and bidding online. Thus, he succeeded in completing an exceptional bibliographic collection in which the origin is counted by continent.

“Each book – which it indicates – also mentions its previous owner, because it contains the booklets of its origin. All of them made a return journey to a known and indisputable origin: El Fondonet, where the boy named Jorge Juan cried for the first time, saw the first rays of light, and today, 250 years after his death, this world’s most enlightened author returns in the form of knowledge and respect.“.