The University of Sheffield
The University Library

Rare Book Collection

Ref: Special Collection

Title: Rare Book Collection

Scope: Printed volumes of mainly pre-1851 origin, with some others of later date of special interest or value

Dates: 1501 to the present day (mainly pre-1851)
Extent: c. 26,000 vols.
Name of creator: The University of Sheffield Library

An image of The Dromedary from Edward Topsell

Administrative / biographical history:

The Rare Book Collection consists of printed volumes which are either pre-1851 in origin, or of a later date but are of some especial interest or rarity. Many of these volumes have been presented to the Library throughout its life as donations, most notable being the several thousand volumes presented by Sir Charles Harding Firth in the early days of the University Library. Firth had been Lecturer in Modern History in Firth College (an institution which developed into University College, Sheffield (1897), which in turn became the University of Sheffield (1905)) before becoming Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford, and was a generous benefactor of the fledgling institution. Apart from the general Collection, which includes for example a copy of the original edition of Newton's Principia and an edition of Galen which bears the signature of François Rabelais, areas of particular note, with approximate no. of volumes, are:

The collection also includes other notable material such as a late 17th century (Restoration) drama collection, and volumes of Rowlandson and Cruikshank caricatures.

Although a growing proportion of the books is now listed in the Library's Star online catalogue many other volumes are still represented only in the old card catalogue, although the intention is eventually to complete the listing of the whole collection on the OPAC.

Guide to the 19th Century Pamphlets projects is available from RLUK (Research Libraries UK) - formerly CURL - and includes information about this collection and collections held at other institutions in the U.K.