Cambridge University Library : The Great Collections

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, first edition, 1998. Cloth, 4to, 26 cm,. [2], 231 pp, ills (some colour). From the introduction: "This book is a celebration of some of the collections [of the Cambridge University Library]. It seeks to give a flavour of those collections, not just as artistic, literary or scientific treasures in their own right but as sources for the research and teaching which are central to the University's purpose. ..In selecting topics for inclusion, the editorial committee have attempted to provide an impression of the range of the Library's collections: in terms of period, from the fifth-century Codex Bezae to the archive of the living writer Stefan Heym, which is still being created; in terms of geographical spread, from the British Isles, through continental Europe to the Middle East and on to Japan, with the Royal Commonwealth Society adding the global perspective of the Empire 'on which the sun never set'; in terms of subject matter, with history and theology represented in several chapters, but also studies of the worlds of literature, politics, sociology, art history, biology, agriculture, mathematics and astronomy. Aware that a comprehensive survey was impossible, even for those parts of the Library's holdings selected for inclusion, the editorial committee invited scholars with a deep knowledge of their subjects to adopt an approach which was not simply descriptive but would seek to demonstrate how the material in question serves as the raw material for research. The illustrations have been carefully selected both to support the text of the chapters and also to provide an indication of a wider range of material in the Library than could be considered in detail." Contents: Introduction by Peter Fox; History of the Library, by David McKitterick; Codex Bezae, by David Parker; Illuminated Medieval Manuscripts, by George Henderson; The Genizah Fragments: a Unique Archive?, by Stefan Greif; Printed Books 1450-1550, by Dennis E. Rhodes; The Royal library: John Moore and His Books, by Jayne Ringrose; The Voyages pittoresques et romantiques dans l'ancienne France, by Michael Twyman; Agriculture, Food and Famine in Japan, by Peter Kornicki; The Darwin Papers, by Frederick Borkhardt; The Acton Library, by Owen Chadwick; The S Tefanheym Archive, by Peter Hutchinson; The Royal Commonwealth Society Library, by John M. Mackenzie; But scientists are human: Some Insights Into the Progress of Science, by Alan Cook; The University Archives (What Are They, Anyway?), by Elisabeth Leedham-Green; The University Library and Its Buildings, by Christopher Brooke; Index. Booklabel of the bibliophile A R A Hobson on front pastedown endpaper. Near Fine in Near Fine dustwrapper. Laid in is a TLS from the author to Hobson thanking him for pointing out an error in the book. Clipping if a contemporary review laid in.