The rag paper, the Latin language and font, and the holes made by real bookworms are among the many features that distinguish âPersii familiare commentumâ from other books in Alma Collegeâs special collections library.
Another unique characteristic: the book was published in 1499, making it the oldest in Almaâs library. âPersiiâ takes over the title of oldest book from a collection of writings by the theologian Martin Luther, published in the mid-1500s, according to Associate Professor of History Daniel Wasserman-Soler.
âThereâs something about holding an object that is older than the United States that seems special,â Wasserman-Soler said. âWe have a culture that really emphasizes the modern and disposable products of the day, but if you give students something rare and old â it doesnât even have to be all that valuable â it can spark the imagination and lead to something really cool.â