Part of our research project revolves around creating an open-access database, where letters are transcribed and referenced.
In order to make this database as inclusive as possible, we invite scholars all over the world to contribute. By submitting references to relevant letter archives, you would further the globalising of early modern history, and pave the way for future research. We are most grateful for joining us in this endeavour!
Criteria for the letters
1) They need to be handwritten.
2) They need to be dated between the years 1500 and 1700 (an exact year or date is not necessary).
3) Letters are supposed to be between individuals rather than for example institutions. It is not necessary to have exact or full names.
4) References and summary should be kept to around 2 lines of text – it is thus not necessary to provide full text, image, or rights.
5) All languages and writing systems are welcome, but we are particularly interested in: Japanese, Korean, Scandinavian languages, English (in that order).
What to upload:
A file in the format of your choice (doc, pdf, txt) stating:
1) Where the letter is located (archive and archival reference)
2) From whom to whom (if known).
3) When it was sent (if uncertain, give an approximate date).
4) A couple of lines about the content of the letter.
5) If you carry the rights to upload a transcription or transliteration, we are happy to upload that – but that is no requirement.
This information will be public on an open access server via Lund University Library, on a Swedish server.
Thank you for helping showing the way to the early modern global archives!
