In 1890, Dom Pedro II produced an incredible manuscript containing translations from several languages as a gift to students at the Stanislas Institute in Cannes.
Manuscript entitled “Souvenir”, by Dom Pedro II, containing translations from twelve languages as a gift to students at the Stanislas Institute in Cannes.
One sheet, front and back, 4 pages.
12 languages including Hebrew, Arabic, Sanskrit, Latin, Italian, French, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, Persian, German and Guarani.
+/- 20 cm x 15 cm open.
Perfect condition.
Unique piece.
This manuscript is a highly relevant document, dated 1890, known as the “Souvenir”. It was written by Dom Pedro II during his exile in France, after the death of his wife, Dona Teresa Cristina. The manuscript contains translations made by the emperor himself of texts in twelve languages, including Hebrew, Arabic, Sanskrit, Latin, Italian, among others. The “Souvenir” was originally produced to be distributed as a prize to students at the Stanislas Institute in Cannes, an institution where Dom Pedro II’s grandchildren and children of close friends were enrolled.
Among the most notable passages are the Hebrew Proverbs that extol wisdom and intelligence, as well as an Arabic proverb that values education as a greater good than gold. In Sanskrit, the emperor translated passages from the “Hitopadesha”, an ancient Indian text, emphasizing science as an invaluable and imperishable treasure. There is also a Latin passage from Ovid, verses from Dante in Italian and a passage from Camões that glorifies Coimbra, as well as an interesting Guarani reflection that suggests the importance of education. The wide range of languages and themes covered reflects Dom Pedro II’s deep knowledge and his commitment to learning, making this document a fascinating example of his work as a translator and intellectual.
Dom Pedro II explicitly mentions his production and distribution of this “linguistic work” in his personal diary on several occasions. The attribution of this manuscript to Dom Pedro II was confirmed by detailed graphoscopic analyses. The studies compared his handwriting with other authentic letters and documents of the emperor, taking into account characteristics such as the inclination of the axial axes, the curvilinear strokes and the fluid and firm signature, unmistakable characteristics of the monarch’s hand. The manuscript was written by the emperor himself.
The exceptional value of this document lies in its rarity and in its reflection of Dom Pedro II’s intellectual capacities and deep interest in global languages and cultures. He was not only an emperor, but also an internationally respected scholar. This work symbolizes his legacy as a polyglot and lover of science.
For those interested in a complete and in-depth study of this manuscript, including more technical and historical analyses, a detailed report in PDF format is available upon request through the contact: contato@glorias.com.br.
