One of our most striking items, this collection of four wind charts is an early predecessor to the modern compass rose; but where the latter shows the cardinal directions, this manuscript uses the winds. This item is unique in UBC’s manuscript collection because it is multilingual: the two charts on the right are Latin, but the others were written in a lingua franca used by Mediterranean sailors (top left) and in medieval Dutch (bottom left). We cannot be sure where it was made or pinpoint its date of publication beyond sometime in the latter fifteenth century.
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| Reading Room
Hours of Operation To request RBSC or UA materials to consult in the Reading Room, please schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance during weekday business hours. Winter term II (Jan. – Apr., 2026) Monday-Friday 10:00 am-2:00 pm Closed on weekends and the following statutory holidays: Monday, February 16; Friday, April 3; Monday, April 6 |
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| The Rare Books and Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room has been temporarily relocated to Irving K. Barber Learning Centre room 142 due to upgrades. |
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
1961 East Mall
Vancouver, BC,
V6T 1Z1