Bibliophile Peeter Tulviste - Autographs and inscriptions

There are far more books with inscriptions in Peeter Tulviste’s collection than could ever fit into the exhibition. Copies with autographs often come from book launches, but in Tulviste’s case, books were also dedicated to him as a rector and member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. One such example is the book Tema Pühadus Johannes Paulus II Eestis, with an inscription for the rector dated 18 February 1997. The medal of the Baltic Academies of Sciences is accompanied by a diploma bearing the signatures of the presidents of all three academies.

The beautiful leather-bound volume Peeter Tulviste sõnas ja pildis was a 50th birthday gift from colleagues. The biography of his good friend and colleague, member of the academy of sciences, Jüri Engelbrecht (2014), contains a personal dedication.

Books with an inscription can also be acquired as a result of a long-standing friendship. Examples include Hando Runnel’s Punaste õhtute purpur and Jaan Isotamm’s Mina Johnny B. Tekste aastaist 1967–1974.

The exhibition features two publications with inscriptions by Matti Milius, one of them a true bibliophilic rarity: Mapp MM 3EX, an album which includes three large-format bookplates designed by Lembit Lepp. The album’s print run was 20, and the copy with inscription owned by Tulviste is number 2.

Find out more about the exhibition here.