OT: UofM Library's Prized Galileo Manuscript is a Forgery?
I was today years old when I learned the Library had what it thought was a manuscript by the venerable Galileo Galilei. I was also today years old when I learned the manuscript was a forgery. What a kick in the tacopants for the home team.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/17/arts/galileo-forgery-university-of-michigan.html?smid=url-share
And here's a direct link to the Library's story, if you want to go right to the source:
https://www.lib.umich.edu/about-us/news/researcher-discovers-galileo-manuscript-forgery
August 17th, 2022 at 4:34 PM ^
Fuck Notre Dame!
August 17th, 2022 at 4:43 PM ^
Made me laugh out loud.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:46 PM ^
Made me read the article to see what asshole from ND sold us the forgery.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:22 PM ^
Galileo wouldn't argue with this logic!
August 17th, 2022 at 4:40 PM ^
Yah, but the good guys (UM Library) did the right thing.
Instead of sweeping it under the rug, they addressed it and might use it for an exhibit or symposium on forgeries and ever improving methods of determining authenticity.
Y'know: trust the science, not only for what's known now but trust science will keep evolving based on new evidence.
(Also, it's not like they paid big bucks for it. It was a donation.)
August 17th, 2022 at 5:05 PM ^
And it is a welcome departure from the approach that a certain department-that-shall-remain-unnamed has taken to unwelcome news.
On an unrelated note, any chance that someone in the library system wants to try their hand at running an athletic department?
August 17th, 2022 at 6:11 PM ^
Isn't that the basis of half the comic movies since the 30s, the pencil-necked geeks vs. the muscle-headed jocks?
Or the variation (e.g., Adam Sandler movies), prissy authority figures vs. just an ordinary guy.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:41 PM ^
As this is somewhat in my wheelhouse of anal-retentive documentation, there are many works that univerities hold that they do not actually let the public access (and even then only a few "scholars" retain possible access to), there are many reasons but not the least of which is there are likely many forgeries in holding that the colleges would just rather not reveal, diminishing their prestigious claim to these works.
The same is true of fine art works, many ultra-wealthy paid massive sums for total fakes, and would simply not like this to come to light (partially for their tax-evasion scheme, partially for their own ego/prestige)
If you think this sounds outlandish/ridiculous, I beg you, read some fun history of fine-art collectors/sales and of forgers and thieves, you'll be entertained I promise. Scandals everywhere!
August 18th, 2022 at 9:29 AM ^
Well that's all just sad to read. I wonder, after I'd personally sunk millions into a work of art, would I *want* to know whether it was a forgery? Assuming I'd done my due diligence before the purchase, would I be excited about a new technique that could better measure the veracity (voracity?) of the art's history? Maybe not. For once I can be thankful I don't have the millions to spare.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:50 PM ^
I checked this out when I was a freshmen and forgot to return it. Hefty fine.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:53 PM ^
Al-Biruni (b.973) figured out the movements of the Sun, Moon and Earth six centuries before Catholic Church excommunicated Galileo and imprisoned him, but Notre Dame did get a heck of a TV contract based on the universe revolving around South Bend.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:00 PM ^
On a positive note, his tomb in Florence is sweet. Highly recommend hitting up Santa Croce if one is ever in the neighborhood. Pretty crazy that he, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and (kinda but not really) Dante are all buried in the same building.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:25 PM ^
Temple of the Italian Glories
August 18th, 2022 at 9:40 AM ^
Thanks for the tip! That would be a great trip. I was unfamiliar with Dante's burial story. It's fascinating and tragic. Never be too famous; your body will never really be at rest.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:14 PM ^
Someone get eyes on Nic Cage, STAT.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:00 PM ^
Authorize a raid on the spartan complex, high suspicious activity as usual in east lansing.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:59 PM ^
They would think Galileo was a pizza joint.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:36 PM ^
Just saw a video from the Clements library that announced that they had acquired a French fort map(that was “acquired” by the British) of Fort Detroit. It dates from the 1760’s.
Clements is a crown jewel of the university.
August 17th, 2022 at 8:23 PM ^
August 17th, 2022 at 8:25 PM ^
So, five fakes out of five?
August 17th, 2022 at 9:18 PM ^
Ha, do you suppose they found a faint text on the back in Latin that translated to “Galileo Galilei, offensive line, 4.4second forty”?
I pondered saying he played center, but that’s probably too on the nose given his thoughts on the universe.🌞
August 18th, 2022 at 12:02 AM ^
Well, if you use the unit piede liprando, 40 piedi liprando is about 22.5 yds, so 4.4 s is plausible?
August 17th, 2022 at 8:52 PM ^
Galileo! Galileo!
Galileo forgero.
No magnifico-o-o
August 17th, 2022 at 8:55 PM ^
Where’s Indiana Jones when you need him?!?
August 17th, 2022 at 9:29 PM ^
Doesn't bode well for the authenticity of my Galileo NFTs.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:42 PM ^
Are you going to tell me that the copy of the Declaration of Independence I bought on eBay is ALSO a fake?
August 17th, 2022 at 11:12 PM ^
In the sports card world, I believe the proper term is “reprint”.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:49 PM ^
today years old is so 2010
August 18th, 2022 at 12:27 AM ^
I'll try harder. Thanks, Richard.
August 18th, 2022 at 8:22 AM ^
How about Nick Walding? Basically says I am going to spend my working life shitting on your Galileo documents...
August 18th, 2022 at 8:45 PM ^
I'm obviously late to this party, but does anyone with a NYT subscription have a friends' link or whatever it is that allows others to read the article without the paywall?