Libraries

Rare Books

A rare prayer book from the Archives and Rare Books Library collection.

The Rare Book Collection is a broad one, useful for both instructional and research endeavors. The collection represents the range of the written word from early manuscripts and incunabula to modern first editions and fine press books. While containing rare books of every genre, the areas of subject strength are North American Indians, early travel and exploration, 18th century British literature and the history of the book.

Noteworthy collections include 18th century British anonymous poetical pamphlets, the Charles J. Livingood Petrarch Collection, the Enoch T. Carson Shakespeare Collection, fine press editions of William Blake, a collection of Charles Dickens first issues and editions, the Edward S. Curtis portfolios of American Indians, pochoir volumes, D.H. Lawrence correspondence, Ambrose Bierce letters, and the manuscript notebooks of Irish theatre historian William J. Lawrence.  

Rare books in the Archives and Rare Books Library's collection are cataloged in the Libraries' online catalog, UCLID. Limit the location to Archives and Rare Books to search books in this collection.

Rare Book Occasional - An occasional blog that takes closer look at significant items from the Rare Book collection.

€œ50 Minutes - One Book - A monthly series in the Archives and Rare Books Library. Click on the link for information on past presentations.