Palm leaf book extracts
Overview
This collection consists of two palm leaves with writing on them, from an unknown book or books.
Dates
- Creation: [18th century or before?]
Language of Materials
Language is likely Pali.
Conditions Governing Access
No access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
History of the palm leaf writing technique
As early as the 5th century BCE, palm leaves were used as writing materials in South and Southeast Asia, a practice that continued until the introduction there of the printing press in the early 19th century. Characters were incised in a palm leaf with a sharp tool and then rubbed with a coloring material to facilitate reading. The two holes in each leaf were for string inserted to keep the set of palm leaves together, forming a book. By loosening the string, the reader could “leaf” through the book.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (1 oversize box) : 2 palm leaves with writing on both sides ; Each palm leaf measures 60 x 6 cm.
Physical Location
MS Q98
Custodial History
These leaves were acquired by Frederic Gilhousen and his wife during a voyage in the vicinity of Southeast Asia.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift, Frederic M. Gilhousen, 2018.
Source
- Gilhousen, Frederic M. (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Palm Leaf Book Extracts Collection
- Subtitle
- Palm leaf book extracts
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by ksc, 2020. Finding aid encoded by mwh, 2022.
- Date
- 2022-07-26
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in English.
- Finding aid permalink
- https://hdl.handle.net/10407/6574119695
- Preferred citation
-
Palm leaf book extracts, MS Q98, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository