The works of National Library of Poland an inventory of remained manuscripts from the former Załuski Library

Abstract

With the destruction of Warsaw in the autumn of 1944, many rich collections of seve- ral Polish libraries were destroyed, including manuscripts kept in the National Library. Only less than two thousands manuscripts from the former collection of Załuskis survived this disaster, ironically mainly because they were captured by Germans earlier during the occupation and transported away to Germany. Similarly all inventories were lost. After the war, specialists from the National Library attempted to recreate this collection. Thanks to cooperation with the Russian National Library in Sankt Petersburg it was possible to use 19th century inventories, which were prepared when Załuski collection was a part of the Imperial Library in the Russian capital city. Moreover it turned out, that several hundred manuscripts, belonging to the former collection of Załuski, were not given back to the Poles by Soviet official before the World War II. It represented blatant violation of the Riga treaty, but thanks to it these priceless documents had a chance to survive. Currently some intense works are being undertaken on the preparation of the inventory of all remained manuscripts from the former Zaluski Library, kept in both countries. This article discusses these issues and informs about questions associated with identifying and describing these objects.