Literature and Rare Books Collections in Special Collections and University Archives are a rich resource open to students, researchers, and the general public.
Rare Books in Hornbake Library contain works dating from the 15th century to the present. These books, pamphlets, and other printed materials cover a wide range of topics, including history, literature, politics, science, and the history of the book. Modernism, Victorian, Early Modern, and Romantic literary genres are well represented.
Literary Manuscript collections contains photographs, correspondence, ephemera, and other primary source materials documenting the life and work of authors, editors, and literary organizations.
With materials ranging from a hobbyists collection to a press operated by Benedictine nuns, these volumes cover a wide range of topics related to the impact of the printed book in society.
Incunable leaves, codices, and books are wonderful examples of the craft and artistry of the early years of printing. These materials illustrate the techniques of early Western printing as it developed from the fifteenth century onwards.
Visit the Maryland Room in Hornbake Library North for more information on incunable codices, leaf books, and leaf collections that are available in Special Collections and University Archives.
Explore our collection of incunabula leaves on Flickr.