Rare Books

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Rare Books

Rare Books houses rare works and contemporary artworks that support teaching and research in the arts, humanities and sciences. These special collections include rare books, medieval manuscripts, contemporary artists鈥� books, and a signature photobook and photography collection. Special subject collections reflect the interests and research of the CU-Boulder community and the state.

Rare Books' collections听are non-circulating; we are happy to consult with you about accessing materials via our Reading Room (information about visiting and using our collections).听We have听an active instruction program and welcome听requests from Front Range educational communities.听

On this page:

Rare books collection strengths

Artist Books

Historic illustration from book of child with hands folded talking with Mother Goose

Children's Literature

Historical photograph of Queens Road, Hong Kong

East Asian Materials

Illustration from historical science text authored by Galileo

History of Science

A view of mountains with pines in the foreground

Photography

Letterpress with moveable type set for chinese characters

Print Technologies

Finding rare books and other special items

The majority of our rare books and other special materials can be found using the online library catalog. For more precision, run an advanced keyword search and limit the location to Special Collections. Contact us at rad@colorado.edu for assistance.

Highlights: Digital Special Collections

Fairy tale books听from the 1690s to the early 1900s,听a majority of which are听heavily illustrated

Nearly 300 manuscript leaves from medieval Europe (c. 800-1500)

Unique mansucripts, books, and reports used for classes and research

Approximately ninety unique items from our WPRP Collection (c. 1790-1835).

More details on collecting areas

A growing collection of book arts and fine press printing from the middle of the twentieth century to the present.

A large collection of 19th- and early-20th-century books for children (particularly fairy tales, educational materials, and miniature books).

A growing collection of historical materials from China, Japan听and Korea.

A robust collection of European and American works on the development of scientific disciplines. Includes first edition or early works of scientists such as Galileo, Newton, and Darwin, but also those who popularized science such as Jane Marcet. Highlights include:

罢丑别听D.K. Bailey Collection听holds rare early-modern and modern works focused on the sciences, geography, and travel.听

Thousands of original photographs and early photography books documenting the history of photographic processes, as well as 20th-century and modern fine art photography books. Highlights include:

罢丑别听David H. Tippit Collection听contains first editions of the seminal photobooks of the twentieth century, as well as numerous contemporary photobook titles.
罢丑别听Ira Wolff Photographic History Collection:听a major scholarly resource for the study of the history of photography.

A strong collection of books and teaching tools related to the history of print technology.