History of the Book

The History of the Book collection contains a variety of materials: a cuneiform tablet, fragments of papyri, medieval manuscripts, and incunabula and books from such early printing houses as Aldus Manutius, Elzevier and Plantin. Two fine examples of a manuscript and an early printed book are an illuminated Book of Hours and the Nuremberg Chronicle. Books from private and fine press publishers such as Strawberry Hill, Kelmscott, Doves, Roycrofters, Nonesuch, Hogarth, Cuala, Black Sun and Bits are also to be found in the collection.