General Rare Books
The General Rare Book Collection within Special Collections seems to oppose contradicting terms. How is something at once general and special? This collection consists of works that do not make a homogeneous entity, such as the Domesday Collection, but individual titles, sometimes in several volumes that may or may be related to one another.
Scope of Collection
Prominent holdings in the collection demonstrate a concentration on 19th-century publications, but major books outside of this time period are also part of the General Collection (see Highlights below). 19th century publications of note include important editions of English dramatists and poets, works of leading 19th-century historians, including Leopold von Ranke, James Anthony Froude, and Thomas Carlyle, and writings about slavery in the United States. Included also in this collection are facsimilie reproductions of early English manuscripts.
Highlights of the collection include:
- Holinshed's Chronicles or The Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1587) ASU SPEC RARE BOOKS GENERAL COLL DA 130.H732 1587
- Du Bartas, his Divine Weeks and Workes (1621) ASU SPEC RARE BOOKS GENERAL COLL PQ1616.E2 S8 1621
Access
The General Rare Book Collection may be searched through the Library catalog. Items belonging to this collection are identified in the "Location" field as "ASU Spec Rare Books General Coll." The collection is available for use in the Dougherty Reading Room in Special Collections. Appointments are preferred. To make an appointment to view or use materials, please see the Research Services page for more information.
