Rare Book Collections

Rare Book Collections

The Rare Book Collections contain approximately 12,000+ items, and have concentrations in:

• Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture
• Nineteenth Century Literature
• Willa Cather
• Mary Webb
• Pat Warde Memorial Collection of Southern Letters
• William Blake
• Periodicals
• History of Printing, Publishing, Binding, and Illustration
• Travel and Exploration
• War Posters
• Maps
• Artists' Books
• Costume and the history of Fashion
• World's Fairs and Expositions Universelle
• See also:
• Locating Items

Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture

The Rare Book Collections have particular strengths in 18th century materials.  Areas of particular strength are:

English Literature

Including early and important editions of the works of:            

          Samuel Johnson

          James Boswell

          Lady Mary Wortley Montagu

          Hannah More

          Elizabeth Carter

          Fanny Burney

          Tobias Smollet

          Samuel Richardson

          Henry Fielding

          Jonathan Swift

The Eighteenth Century World

Beyond literary works, the collections contain significant groups of items from the 1700's that illustrate the world-view of those living then.  Works on art, history, religion, travel, politics, education, dictionaries, encyclopedias, architecture, fashion, and periodicals are all included in the collections.

French Theatre

The collections include a significant collection of 18th century French plays, libretti, and operas.  In addition, holdings include materials about the Theatre in France, memoirs of actors and actresses, and other works.

Nineteenth Century Literature

The Rare Book Collections hold many important editions of 19th century literature, primarily English and American.  Strengths include Charles Dickens, Washington Irving, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Elbert Hubbard.

Willa Cather

A large collection of first editions, including signed limited editions. A finding aid is available online at: http://www.library.unt.edu/rarebooks/finding/willa_cather/default.htm

Mary Webb

First and early editions of the major novels, typescripts, and other documents. A finding aid is available online at: http://www.library.unt.edu/rarebooks/finding/mary_webb/DEFAULT.HTM

Pat Warde Memorial Collection of Southern Letters

Instituted as an ongoing tribute to the memory of a true lady, who embodied all of the greatest qualities of the South, this collection of literature includes works by southern authors in first and rare editions, as well as biographical and critical sources. A finding aid is available online at: http://www.library.unt.edu/rarebooks/finding/patwarde/wardefinding.htm

William Blake

Includes a number of important works with original engravings, the Trianon Press facsimile editions, and books on Blake

Periodicals

The Rare Book Collections include individual issues and long runs of many important periodicals from the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.  Over 125 titles are represented, and cover art, history, literature, politics, philosophy, fashion, "current" events, and research and reference topics.

Titles held include:

Gentleman's Magazine
European Magazine
The Craftsman
The Rambler
Godey's Lady's Book
Illustrated London News
Harper's Weekly
Harper's Monthly
Les Spectacles de Paris Der Deutsche Merkur

History of Printing, Publishing, Binding, and Illustration

Representative examples from 1478 to the present, including works of important printers, forms of publishing, private presses, and techniques of illustration. Also included are many fine bindings representing noted binders or period styles.

Travel and Exploration

The collections contain a substantial collection of travel and exploration narratives. Primarily concentrating on the Western Hemisphere, items include rare editions of Capt. James Cook and Zebulon Pike.  Recent additions include many significant late 19th and early 20th century travel guides by such noted publishers as Cook's and Baedeker's.
A finding aid for selected materials relating to South America, including travel and exploration, is available online at:
http://www.library.unt.edu/rarebooks/finding/south/contents.htm

War Posters

Over 700 original World War I and World War II posters are housed in the Rare Book Collections.  The collection is particularly strong in World War I French and American posters, and World War II American "home front" posters. 

Many of the posters have been digitized and are available online at: http://digital.library.unt.edu/browse/department/rarebooks/wwpc/

Maps

A small group of maps in the collections date from the early 1500's to the 20th century, including examples that show the exploration of the world, and the development of cartography.

Artists' Books

Begun in 1993, the Artists' Books collection now contains a significant group of works including a number of unique examples.  The Friends of the UNT Libraries sponsors an Artists' Book Competition every two years to encourage UNT students and promote creativity in the arts.

Costume and the history of Fashion

Including period items looking at fashion of the day, and works looking at the history of fashion, the Rare Book Collections include many important items in the study of costume and fashion.  Books, suites of plates, periodicals, and original sketches and patterns are part of the holdings.

World's Fairs and Expositions Universelle

Periodicals, illustrated works, souvenirs, guidebooks, reports of judges, and other materials record many of the great world's fairs, from the 1851 Crystal Palace exhibition to fairs held in the latter part of the 20th century.

See also:

     Weaver Collection of Juvenile Materials

     Miniature Book Collection

Locating Items

Many, but not all, of the items that comprise the holdings of the Rare Book Collections can be searched for in the UNT Libraries' Online Catalog.  Some items are only listed in the Card Catalog and some are as yet uncataloged. For items listed in either catalog, it is possible to search by title, author, or subject. To locate other items or if you have other questions, please contact the staff of the Rare Book Room.

For some collections, online finding aids exist, as noted above, and listed here.