As an undergraduate, you could be forgiven for thinking that the ‘special’ in Special Collections excludes you. I certainly thought this until beginning my placement here as part of the Library’s Graduate Trainee Scheme. Special Collections staff, however, are keen… Read More ›
This month we’re very pleased that records from the Scottish Business Archive have been featured as Who Do You Think You Are? magazine’s Gem from the Archive. The Managers & Assistants Letterbooks from the James Finlay & Co Archive contain… Read More ›
Continuing our ‘Treasures’ series, this image appears in one of the world-renowned emblem books held in Special Collections. It was published in Augsberg in 1531 and was compiled by an Italian lawyer, Andrea Alciato (1492-1550). This is the first edition of his… Read More ›
Continuing our ‘Treasures’ series, I’ve chosen to highlight this illuminated manuscript, produced in Milan over 500 years ago. The text is a classical work by the Roman writer Livy, describing the period known as the Second Punic War (218-201BC). As… Read More ›
As a devotee of all things Egyptian, I am particularly fascinated by this papyrus fragment, one of the treasures of Special Collections. Written nearly 1800 years ago, it is one of the oldest items in the library. This fragment was… Read More ›
The Temple of Flora, the third and final part of Thornton’s New illustration of the sexual system of Carolus von Linnaeus is probably the most sumptious and renowned of all great flower books. It contains thirty-one plates, produced by a… Read More ›
This image comes from the treasures of Special Collections photo set which can be accessed via Flickr. The Eagle image comes from Birds of America by John James Audubon London: 1827-38 This truly monumental work was published in eighty-seven parts… Read More ›
This beautiful illustration is taken from John Gould’s five volume folio Birds of Great Britain , one of many treasures held by Special Collections within the University Library. The naturalist John Gould has been called the greatest figure in bird… Read More ›
