Rare Books Collection

Scope: The Rare Books Collection contains books and pamphlets dating from the 15th century to the 20th century. Approximately 50,000 volumes represent a wide range of subjects in all areas of the humanities and sciences. There are strong holdings in natural history, especially in botany and agriculture. Other notable collections include: French political pamphlets published during the civil war of 1649-1652 and the French Revolution; French history and literature from the Savoy region, 1500-1900; Spanish, French, and Italian plays from the 18th and 19th centuries; literature, art, and culture in Germany between the world wars; pamphlets documenting slavery and African-American life in America, 1754-1926; works by and about William Morris, including works printed by the Kelmscott Press; and pamphlets by and about Daniel Webster.

Email the subject area specialist or call (301) 405-9210 for more information.

Collection Guides

• Special Collections
• Internet Resources on the History of Printing and the Book
• The Spanish Play Collection
  
• The French Pamphlet Collection
  
• The African and African-American Pamphlet Collection
  
• The Daniel Webster Pamphlet Collection
• The William Morris Collection
  
• The Dr. George Levitine Collection (European iconography, French art history)
• The Louisa May Alcott Collection
• The Arthur J. Gutman Collection of Menckeniana
• German Expressionist Serials Collection
  
  

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