My secrete log boke : S.A.S.X.MY XPO FERENS.

Cover title.

A spurious work purporting to be the log book of Christopher Columbus, which, according to legend, he threw into the sea during a storm, and which was found on the coast of Pembrokeshire 400 years later. Written in antiquated English, with paper and binding made to imitate in colour and appearance a volume damaged by exposure to seawater.

"S.A.S.X.MY XPO FERENS" from cover, variously interpreted, eg. Supples servus altissimi Salvatoris Xristi Mariae Josephi Xpoferens.

Forgery attributed to Karl Maria Seyppel.

Printed by lithographic process on imitation parchment paper. Text and illustrations printed to appear hand written, with many decorated initials.

Accompanied by: reproduction of a letter purported to be by the finder of the log book dated "September forth 1890" ; "Doña Isabel por gracia de Dios Reina do Castilla y Leon, etc., etc. á Don Cristóbal Colon de Génova," supposed letter on imitation parchment, authorizing his voyage, dated "Granada, á trece de abril de mccccxcij," with attached seal, laid in.

Binding: imitation parchment printed in black, decorated with small shells and seaweed pasted on. Includes 7 blank leaves bound in at the back.

Lithographed letter Digital image. Wellington, N.Z. : National Library of New Zealand.

Alexander Turnbull Library copy exhibited ; qRPr RANG SEYP 1890 (352595) : Simple to Sumptuous: Bookbindings 1450 to the Present. 5 April - 19 July 2008

Digital image available: lithographed letter, Alexander Turnbull Library Rare Book copy. Details available on request from Curator, Rare Books and Fine Printing.

Provenance: bookplate and stamps on spine and lower cover of General Assembly Library. From Mangaroa Collection. Acc. 352595.