An extremely rare book worth thousands is on display in Singapore

By The Solitary Bibliophile

February 15, 2019

#1: The book is where Singapore got its knowledge about Sang Nila Utama and the Singapore stone from.

#2: It’s extremely rare – and probably worth thousands of dollars.

Sejarah Melayu

For generations, timeless tales of the legendary strongman Badang and the founding of Singapura by Sang Nila Utama have enchanted readers and writers everywhere. Ever wondered about the origins of these stories? They are captured in one of the oldest and most important Malay texts, 'Sulalat al-Salatin', likely composed in the 17th century. More commonly known as 'Sejarah Melayu' (Malay Annals), the text underlines Singapore’s significance not only as one of the capital cities of Malay kings since the 13th century but also as a thriving and cosmopolitan port.Coming up later this month at the National Library, ‘The First Print: Stories and Legends of Early Singapore’ showcase uncovers the enduring legacy of Sejarah Melayu. Don’t miss your chance to view this printed copy of Sejarah Melayu edited by acclaimed scholar Munsyi Abdullah. It is one of five extant copies in the world today. Watch this space for more details!

Posted by National Library Singapore on Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Read more – Source: An extremely rare book worth thousands is on display in Singapore until next month – and it’s got the original story of how Sang Nila Utama gave the country its name, Business Insider – Business Insider Singapore

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