[Historia de las Indias] Primera y segunda parte de la historia general de las Indias: con todo el descubrimiento y cosas notables que han acaecido dende que se ganaron ata el año de 1551
En Caragoça [Saragossa]; A costa de Miguel Capila mercader de libros vezino de Caragoçca
B553 L864p /1-SIZE. https://americana.jcblibrary.org/search/object/jcbcap-ljcb-1-1-6-10006/
John Carter Brown Library
The John Carter Brown Library is a private institution, located on the campus of Brown University, that is home to an unparalleled collection of rare books, maps, prints, and manuscripts related to the early Americas. Since the 1910s, the JCB has maintained a rich tradition of reproducing its materials across a wide range of media, including photostats, photographs, and microfilm. In the 2000s, the library embarked on a digitization journey designed to offer full access to the collection to our culturally diverse readership.
Americana
Our digital assets were spread across various platforms for many years, a practice that posed challenges related to the materials’ maintenance, accessibility, and preservation. However, in May 2023, we proudly unveiled Americana — the JCB’s cutting-edge digital gateway. Americana is an advanced research platform designed to allow users to locate, read, annotate, and download materials and even craft their own digital projects, all while harnessing the wealth of resources within our collection.
Open Access and Understanding Use
The JCB’s extensive collection is accessible through Open Access, giving users the freedom to utilize our materials, as long as they credit the library. We typically ask users to include the statement “image courtesy of the John Carter Brown Library.” This practice allows us to track and understand how our materials are being used in academic publications, research papers, digital projects, and even high-profile cinematic productions. For instance, our renowned Agnese map appeared in the 2022 blockbuster movie Uncharted starring Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, and Sophia Ali (watch the trailer here — can you spot our map?).
JCB Collections
The JCB’s Americana holds some of the first books ever published on the continent. These materials were written in over 200 different languages, including indigenous languages that have long fallen silent. The platform offers a rich array of items, each narrating a unique chapter in the tapestry of the Americas’ cultural history, from the wonders of its exuberant natural history to profound insights into the history of indigenous peoples of the Americas.
You will also come across materials that shed light on the darker aspects of our colonial past. These items bear witness to the cruelties and injustices that defined this era, ultimately shaping the systemic inequalities that continue to reverberate in contemporary society. Americana invites users to engage with the history of the Americas, acknowledging its complexities and offering a platform for meaningful reflection and dialogue on the evolving legacy of the continent.
Feedback
Visit us at americana.jcblibrary.org, and leave us your feedback!