The library of Jakub Bliwernitz (1667–1731), the mayor of Malbork

Abstract

Living at the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, James Bliwernitz was among the well-educated elite of Malbork. He was appointed the mayor of the city several times. He studied law and was interested in the history of the region. He is also known as the owner of a sizeable book collection of about 2,000 items. After his death the collection was sold at a public auction held in Malbork on 16 July 1732. A printed auction catalog presents the contents of his library, with its character and size not very different from other private libraries of the time owned by city officials of the major provincial cities such as Torun and Elblag. The Bliwernitz collection was dominated by books on law, politics and history, supplemented with religious literature, handbooks and basic works in other fields. The mayor used the books primarily to carry out his professional duties as well as to implement his historical interests.