The book collection of Konstancja Sapieżyna in the light of the inventory of 1757

Abstract

The article aims at short characteristics of the book collection of Konstancja Sapieżyna née Radziwiłł (1697-1756), known thanks to the preserved inventory, one of a few preserved registers of women libraries, collected in Poland in the first half of the 18^th century. Moreover, this is the list of books collected by a representative of the most powerful Lithuanian family, and also a wife of Jan Fryderyk Sapieha (1680-1751), one of the highest state official of the August III reigning. Finally, which is not negligible, an owner of the first known exlibris with a Polish text. The register consists of information about 805 copies in two main groups – Polish and French books – the former dominating. Most of the collection consisted of religious works (books of hours, sermons, psalters), hagiographic literature, meditations and spiritual exercises of different kinds. A few laic positions include mostly practical manuals, French, German and Polish grammar, parliamentary constitutions, calendars, literature and panegyrics. The whole list fits on 5 pages of folio format. The inventory is now available in the Central Archives of Historical Records; it registers chattels, books included.