Korean Treasures: Volume 2

Many important and valuable rare books, manuscripts and artefacts related to Korea have been acquired by donations throughout the long history of the Bodleian Libraries and the museums of the University of Oxford. However, due to an early lack of specialist knowledge in this area, many of these Korean items were largely neglected.

Following on from the publication of the first volume of these forgotten treasures, Korean Treasures: Volume 2 collects together further important and often unique objects. Notable items include the only surviving Korean example of an eighteenth-century world map, hand-drawn, with a set of twelve globe gores on a single sheet. Also featured are rare Korean coins and charms, including excellent examples of the 1423 Choson t'ongbo.

Furthermore, the book includes official correspondence from the archives of the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, shining a light on the history of Christian missions from the opening of Korea in the 1880s until after the Korean War. Additionally, there are photographs from the end of the nineteenth century up to the 1960s, depicting village and street scenes.

A rare silk coat with inner armour plates of lacquered hide, a massive iron padlock inlaid with silver character inscriptions, bronze shoes, and a Nightingale robe are some of the remarkable artefacts included. Spectacles with dark crystal lenses and frames of horn, an elaborately decorated bow, arrows and quiver, along with many other rare artefacts, complete this extraordinary collection.